MUB vs. SPY
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY).
MUB and SPY are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. 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. SPY is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Jan 22, 1993. Both MUB and SPY are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: MUB or SPY.
Key characteristics
| MUB | SPY | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -1.39% | 6.66% |
| 1Y Return | 1.95% | 26.26% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -0.99% | 8.24% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 1.28% | 13.33% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 2.18% | 12.52% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.33 | 2.06 |
| Daily Std Dev | 4.45% | 11.78% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.68% | -55.19% |
| Current Drawdown | -4.08% | -3.39% |
Correlation
The correlation between MUB and SPY is -0.07. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.
Performance
MUB vs. SPY - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, MUB achieves a -1.39% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 6.66% return. Over the past 10 years, MUB has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 2.18%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 12.52% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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MUB vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison
MUB has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
MUB vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.
Dividends
MUB vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison
MUB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, more than SPY's 1.33% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 2.79% | 2.65% | 2.11% | 1.81% | 2.11% | 2.42% | 2.46% | 2.26% | 2.21% | 2.51% | 2.73% | 3.02% |
SPY SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 1.33% | 1.40% | 1.65% | 1.20% | 1.52% | 1.75% | 2.04% | 1.80% | 2.03% | 2.06% | 1.87% | 1.81% |
Drawdowns
MUB vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MUB drawdown since its inception was -13.68%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MUB and SPY. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
MUB vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) is 1.10%, while SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 3.54%. This indicates that MUB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.