SMMU vs. FXAIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SMMU (PIMCO Short Term Municipal Bond Active ETF) and FXAIX (Fidelity 500 Index Fund) are both funds - SMMU is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by PIMCO, while FXAIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. SMMU is actively managed, while FXAIX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMMU returned 1.82%/yr vs 15.65%/yr for FXAIX. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. SMMU charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for FXAIX.

Performance

SMMU vs. FXAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Short Term Municipal Bond Active ETF (SMMU) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMMU achieves a 1.03% return, which is significantly lower than FXAIX's 11.56% return. Over the past 10 years, SMMU has underperformed FXAIX with an annualized return of 1.82%, while FXAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.65% annualized return.

SMMU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 1.03%
• 6M: 1.33%
• 1Y: 3.89%
• 3Y*: 3.64%
• 5Y*: 1.89%
• 10Y*: 1.82%

FXAIX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 11.56%
• 6M: 11.94%
• 1Y: 29.57%
• 3Y*: 22.70%
• 5Y*: 14.17%
• 10Y*: 15.65%

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

SMMU vs. FXAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMMU PIMCO Short Term Municipal Bond Active ETF	1.03%	4.06%	2.68%	4.39%	-2.45%	0.17%	2.87%	3.47%	1.51%	2.34%
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	11.56%	17.84%	25.01%	26.29%	-18.14%	28.71%	18.42%	31.48%	-4.43%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between SMMU and FXAIX is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2011	-0.01

The correlation between SMMU and FXAIX shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.19 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SMMU vs. FXAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMMU

SMMU Risk / Return Rank: 92
SMMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SMMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SMMU Omega Ratio Rank: 97
SMMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SMMU Martin Ratio Rank: 85

FXAIX

FXAIX Risk / Return Rank: 75
FXAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
FXAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FXAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
FXAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FXAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

SMMU vs. FXAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Short Term Municipal Bond Active ETF (SMMU) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). 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.

	SMMU	FXAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.81	2.55	+1.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.77	3.46	+2.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.90	1.46	+0.43
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.04	3.39	+1.66
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.06	15.86	+2.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMMU vs. FXAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMMU Sharpe Ratio is 3.81, which is higher than the FXAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMMU and FXAIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SMMU	FXAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.81	2.55	+1.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.13	0.84	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.87	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.82	-0.22

Drawdowns

SMMU vs. FXAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMMU drawdown since its inception was -5.09%, smaller than the maximum FXAIX drawdown of -33.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMMU and FXAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMMU	FXAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.09%	-33.79%	+28.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.77%	-8.89%	+8.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.95%	-18.76%	+16.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.76%	-24.50%	+19.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.09%	-33.79%	+28.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.55%	-3.79%	+3.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.22%	1.90%	-1.68%

Volatility

SMMU vs. FXAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO Short Term Municipal Bond Active ETF (SMMU) is 0.31%, while Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) has a volatility of 2.82%. This indicates that SMMU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FXAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMMU	FXAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.31%	2.82%	-2.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.80%	8.99%	-8.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02%	11.88%	-10.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.67%	16.91%	-15.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.73%	18.07%	-15.34%

SMMU vs. FXAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMMU has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than FXAIX's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMMU vs. FXAIX - Dividend Comparison

SMMU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%, more than FXAIX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	1.03%	1.11%	1.25%	1.45%	1.69%	1.22%	1.60%	2.06%	2.72%	1.97%	2.52%	2.83%
SMMU PIMCO Short Term Municipal Bond Active ETF	2.84%	2.80%	3.03%	2.79%	1.37%	0.60%	1.19%	1.82%	1.57%	1.41%	1.03%	0.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMMU and FXAIX in my portfolio?

SMMU and FXAIX have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMMU or FXAIX?

FXAIX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to SMMU (0.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMMU dropped -5.09% vs FXAIX's -33.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.81 vs 2.55), 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.