MUB vs. XLRE
MUB (iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF) and XLRE (Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - MUB is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while XLRE is a REIT fund tracking the Real Estate Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MUB returned 1.92%/yr vs 7.15%/yr for XLRE. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MUB charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLRE.
Performance
MUB vs. XLRE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MUB achieves a 1.28% return, which is significantly lower than XLRE's 13.17% return. Over the past 10 years, MUB has underperformed XLRE with an annualized return of 1.92%, while XLRE has yielded a comparatively higher 7.15% annualized return.
MUB
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 1.28%
- 6M
- 1.80%
- 1Y
- 6.40%
- 3Y*
- 3.35%
- 5Y*
- 0.80%
- 10Y*
- 1.92%
XLRE
- 1D
- 0.98%
- 1M
- 3.30%
- YTD
- 13.17%
- 6M
- 13.29%
- 1Y
- 12.05%
- 3Y*
- 10.41%
- 5Y*
- 3.32%
- 10Y*
- 7.15%
MUB vs. XLRE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 1.28% | 3.78% | 1.26% | 5.56% | -7.34% | 1.02% | 5.12% | 7.06% | 0.93% | 4.72% |
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund | 13.17% | 2.63% | 5.09% | 12.36% | -26.25% | 46.10% | -2.18% | 28.68% | -2.39% | 10.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between MUB and XLRE is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2015 | 0.22 |
The correlation between MUB and XLRE shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (all time) to 0.37 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MUB vs. XLRE — Risk / Return Rank
MUB
XLRE
MUB vs. XLRE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MUB | XLRE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.35 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.95 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.15 | +0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.22 | 1.34 | +0.88 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.77 | 3.69 | +4.08 |
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Drawdowns
MUB vs. XLRE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MUB drawdown since its inception was -13.68%, smaller than the maximum XLRE drawdown of -38.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MUB and XLRE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MUB | XLRE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.68% | -38.83% | +25.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.79% | -8.33% | +5.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.34% | -16.74% | +11.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -11.88% | -34.12% | +22.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.68% | -38.83% | +25.15% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.66% | 0.00% | -0.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.23% | -9.58% | +7.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.80% | 3.03% | -2.23% |
Volatility
MUB vs. XLRE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) is 1.01%, while Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) has a volatility of 4.81%. This indicates that MUB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLRE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MUB | XLRE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.01% | 4.81% | -3.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.25% | 10.20% | -7.95% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.90% | 13.83% | -10.93% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.06% | 19.10% | -15.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.92% | 20.42% | -15.50% |
MUB vs. XLRE - Expense Ratio Comparison
MUB has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than XLRE's 0.13% 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%.
Dividends
MUB vs. XLRE - Dividend Comparison
MUB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.17%, more than XLRE's 3.08% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 3.17% | 3.14% | 3.01% | 2.65% | 2.11% | 1.81% | 2.11% | 2.42% | 2.46% | 2.26% | 2.21% | 2.51% |
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund | 3.08% | 3.45% | 3.43% | 3.31% | 3.70% | 2.61% | 3.15% | 3.06% | 3.78% | 3.25% | 4.22% | 1.09% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MUB and XLRE have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XLRE has higher volatility (4.81%) compared to MUB (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MUB dropped -13.68% vs XLRE's -38.83%.
On 10-year performance, XLRE leads with 7.15% vs 1.92% for MUB. On fees, MUB is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, MUB has been the lower-risk option at 1.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XLRE has performed better with a 7.15% return vs 1.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MUB is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for XLRE.
MUB has the higher dividend yield at 3.17%, compared with 3.08% for XLRE.
MUB is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while XLRE is REIT. MUB tracks S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while XLRE tracks Real Estate Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for MUB and 0.13% for XLRE.
MUB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.81), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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