MUNA vs. IBMN

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

MUNA (Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF) and IBMN (iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. MUNA is actively managed, while IBMN is passively managed. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.18% expense ratio.

Performance

MUNA vs. IBMN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF (MUNA) and iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

MUNA

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 1.59%
• 6M: 1.85%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBMN

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 1.18%
• 3Y*: 2.38%
• 5Y*: 0.47%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MUNA vs. IBMN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
MUNA Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF	1.59%	0.63%
IBMN iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF	0.00%	0.70%

Correlation

The correlation between MUNA and IBMN is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2025	0.03

Return for Risk

MUNA vs. IBMN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IBMN

IBMN Risk / Return Rank: 86
IBMN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
IBMN Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
IBMN Omega Ratio Rank: 94
IBMN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
IBMN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MUNA vs. IBMN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF (MUNA) and iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF (IBMN). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MUNA	IBMN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.12	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.63	0.58	+1.05

Drawdowns

MUNA vs. IBMN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MUNA drawdown since its inception was -0.91%, smaller than the maximum IBMN drawdown of -12.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MUNA and IBMN.

Drawdown Indicators

	MUNA	IBMN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.91%	-12.40%	+11.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.25%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.10%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-7.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.05%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.28%	-1.81%	+1.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.10%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	MUNA	IBMN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.00%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.50%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73%	0.71%	+1.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.73%	1.79%	-0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.73%	3.89%	-2.16%

MUNA vs. IBMN - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both MUNA and IBMN have an expense ratio of 0.18%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

MUNA vs. IBMN - Dividend Comparison

MUNA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, more than IBMN's 1.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IBMN iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Muni Bond ETF	1.14%	2.03%	2.03%	1.72%	0.97%	0.70%	1.11%	1.65%	0.23%
MUNA Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF	1.66%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MUNA and IBMN in my portfolio?

MUNA and IBMN have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, MUNA or IBMN?

Both ETFs have the same 0.18% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, MUNA or IBMN?

MUNA and IBMN have the same expense ratio: 0.18% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MUNA or IBMN?

MUNA has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 1.14% for IBMN.

What is the main difference between MUNA and IBMN?

They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and iShares.