SMB vs. HYMB
SMB (VanEck Short Muni ETF) and HYMB (SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - SMB tracks the Bloomberg AMT-Free Short Continuous while HYMB tracks the Bloomberg Municipal Yield. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMB returned 1.51%/yr vs 2.46%/yr for HYMB. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMB charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for HYMB.
Performance
SMB vs. HYMB - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SMB achieves a 0.55% return, which is significantly lower than HYMB's 2.87% return. Over the past 10 years, SMB has underperformed HYMB with an annualized return of 1.51%, while HYMB has yielded a comparatively higher 2.46% annualized return.
SMB
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.53%
- YTD
- 0.55%
- 6M
- 1.25%
- 1Y
- 3.81%
- 3Y*
- 3.62%
- 5Y*
- 1.17%
- 10Y*
- 1.51%
HYMB
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 1.19%
- YTD
- 2.87%
- 6M
- 3.18%
- 1Y
- 7.43%
- 3Y*
- 5.09%
- 5Y*
- 0.42%
- 10Y*
- 2.46%
SMB vs. HYMB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF | 0.55% | 4.61% | 2.41% | 3.14% | -4.50% | 0.12% | 3.30% | 4.54% | 1.86% | 1.16% |
HYMB SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF | 2.87% | 2.04% | 5.52% | 7.73% | -15.54% | 5.16% | 3.74% | 9.51% | 4.91% | 3.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between SMB and HYMB is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2011 | 0.30 |
The correlation between SMB and HYMB shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (all time) to 0.51 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
SMB vs. HYMB — Risk / Return Rank
SMB
HYMB
SMB vs. HYMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB) and SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HYMB). 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.
| SMB | HYMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.80 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.46 | 1.37 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.27 | 2.40 | +0.87 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.20 | 8.51 | +0.69 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SMB | HYMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.33 | 1.84 | +0.49 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 | 0.06 | +0.41 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 | 0.22 | +0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.42 | 0.45 | -0.03 |
Drawdowns
SMB vs. HYMB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SMB drawdown since its inception was -12.64%, smaller than the maximum HYMB drawdown of -29.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMB and HYMB.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| SMB | HYMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -12.64% | -29.57% | +16.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.17% | -3.11% | +1.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.80% | -7.44% | +5.64% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.48% | -20.15% | +12.67% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -12.64% | -29.57% | +16.93% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.25% | -0.04% | -0.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.14% | -3.81% | +2.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.41% | 0.88% | -0.47% |
Volatility
SMB vs. HYMB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB) is 0.42%, while SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HYMB) has a volatility of 1.35%. This indicates that SMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HYMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| SMB | HYMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.42% | 1.35% | -0.93% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.20% | 3.14% | -1.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.64% | 4.05% | -2.41% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.48% | 6.66% | -4.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.26% | 11.36% | -7.10% |
SMB vs. HYMB - Expense Ratio Comparison
SMB has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than HYMB's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
SMB vs. HYMB - Dividend Comparison
SMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, less than HYMB's 4.54% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYMB SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF | 4.54% | 4.55% | 4.29% | 4.07% | 3.77% | 3.19% | 3.55% | 3.95% | 4.03% | 3.78% | 4.08% | 4.54% |
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF | 2.70% | 2.63% | 2.38% | 1.83% | 1.32% | 1.24% | 1.50% | 1.58% | 1.49% | 1.23% | 1.12% | 1.13% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SMB and HYMB have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HYMB has higher volatility (1.35%) compared to SMB (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMB dropped -12.64% vs HYMB's -29.57%.
On 10-year performance, HYMB leads with 2.46% vs 1.51% for SMB. On fees, SMB is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, SMB has been the lower-risk option at 0.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, HYMB has performed better with a 2.46% return vs 1.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SMB is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for HYMB.
HYMB has the higher dividend yield at 4.54%, compared with 2.70% for SMB.
SMB tracks Bloomberg AMT-Free Short Continuous, while HYMB tracks Bloomberg Municipal Yield. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for SMB and 0.35% for HYMB.
SMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.84), 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.
Find the right allocation for SMB and HYMB
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer