MUB vs. PFMIX
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) and PIMCO Municipal Bond Fund (PFMIX).
MUB is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. It was launched on Sep 7, 2007. PFMIX is managed by PIMCO. It was launched on Dec 30, 1997.
Performance
MUB vs. PFMIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MUB achieves a 0.21% return, which is significantly higher than PFMIX's 0.13% return. Over the past 10 years, MUB has underperformed PFMIX with an annualized return of 2.00%, while PFMIX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.91% annualized return.
MUB
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- -0.79%
- YTD
- 0.21%
- 6M
- 1.70%
- 1Y
- 3.98%
- 3Y*
- 2.70%
- 5Y*
- 0.91%
- 10Y*
- 2.00%
PFMIX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -1.26%
- YTD
- 0.13%
- 6M
- 1.47%
- 1Y
- 3.57%
- 3Y*
- 4.83%
- 5Y*
- 1.53%
- 10Y*
- 2.91%
MUB vs. PFMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 0.21% | 3.78% | 1.26% | 5.56% | -7.34% | 1.02% | 5.12% | 7.06% | 0.93% | 4.72% |
PFMIX PIMCO Municipal Bond Fund | 0.13% | 5.70% | 3.60% | 8.04% | -11.32% | 2.55% | 5.89% | 8.67% | 1.41% | 7.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between MUB and PFMIX is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined. Holding both can reduce overall portfolio volatility compared to holding either one alone.
MUB vs. PFMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
MUB has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than PFMIX's 0.44% expense ratio.
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Return for Risk
MUB vs. PFMIX — Risk / Return Rank
MUB
PFMIX
MUB vs. PFMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) and PIMCO Municipal Bond Fund (PFMIX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| MUB | PFMIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.08 | 0.96 | +0.12 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.40 | 1.31 | +0.09 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.26 | -0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.28 | 1.05 | +0.23 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.04 | 3.39 | +0.65 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MUB | PFMIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08 | 0.96 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 | 0.37 | -0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.41 | 0.73 | -0.32 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.58 | 1.00 | -0.42 |
Drawdowns
MUB vs. PFMIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MUB drawdown since its inception was -13.68%, smaller than the maximum PFMIX drawdown of -26.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MUB and PFMIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MUB | PFMIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.68% | -26.51% | +12.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.24% | -4.67% | +1.43% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -11.88% | -16.11% | +4.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.68% | -16.11% | +2.43% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.71% | -2.09% | +0.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.24% | -2.43% | +0.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.04% | 1.45% | -0.41% |
Volatility
MUB vs. PFMIX - Volatility Comparison
iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) has a higher volatility of 1.57% compared to PIMCO Municipal Bond Fund (PFMIX) at 1.05%. This indicates that MUB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFMIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MUB | PFMIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.57% | 1.05% | +0.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.07% | 1.74% | +0.33% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.14% | 4.82% | -0.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.04% | 4.12% | -0.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.91% | 4.00% | +0.91% |
Dividends
MUB vs. PFMIX - Dividend Comparison
MUB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.18%, less than PFMIX's 4.01% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 3.18% | 3.14% | 3.01% | 2.65% | 2.11% | 1.81% | 2.11% | 2.42% | 2.46% | 2.26% | 2.21% | 2.51% |
PFMIX PIMCO Municipal Bond Fund | 4.01% | 5.15% | 4.73% | 3.44% | 2.25% | 2.13% | 2.45% | 3.51% | 3.77% | 3.45% | 3.44% | 3.49% |