STAX vs. FBDC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STAX (Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF) and FBDC (FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - STAX is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Macquarie, while FBDC is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. STAX charges 0.29%/yr vs 1.35%/yr for FBDC.

Performance

STAX vs. FBDC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF (STAX) and FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STAX achieves a 0.93% return, which is significantly higher than FBDC's -9.51% return.

STAX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 0.93%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 3.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FBDC

• 1D: -2.98%
• 1M: -7.81%
• YTD: -9.51%
• 6M: -10.31%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

STAX vs. FBDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
STAX Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF	0.93%	2.21%
FBDC FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF	-9.51%	-2.43%

Correlation

The correlation between STAX and FBDC is 0.07, 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 Jul 1, 2025	0.07

Return for Risk

STAX vs. FBDC — Risk / Return Rank

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

STAX

STAX Risk / Return Rank: 86
STAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
STAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
STAX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
STAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
STAX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

STAX vs. FBDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF (STAX) and FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC). 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.

	STAX	FBDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.86	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.16	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.99	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.77	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	STAX	FBDC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.86	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.64	-0.70	+3.34

Drawdowns

STAX vs. FBDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STAX drawdown since its inception was -1.42%, smaller than the maximum FBDC drawdown of -20.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STAX and FBDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	STAX	FBDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.42%	-20.60%	+19.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.05%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	-17.24%	+16.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.23%	-10.14%	+9.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.33%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	STAX	FBDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.79%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.01%	18.06%	-17.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.38%	18.06%	-16.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.38%	18.06%	-16.68%

STAX vs. FBDC - Expense Ratio Comparison

STAX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than FBDC's 1.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

STAX vs. FBDC - Dividend Comparison

STAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, less than FBDC's 11.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FBDC FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF	11.52%	5.41%	0.00%
STAX Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF	3.22%	3.16%	3.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STAX and FBDC in my portfolio?

STAX and FBDC have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, STAX or FBDC?

On fees, STAX is cheaper at 0.29% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, STAX or FBDC?

STAX is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 1.35% for FBDC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, STAX or FBDC?

FBDC has the higher dividend yield at 11.52%, compared with 3.22% for STAX.

What is the main difference between STAX and FBDC?

STAX is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while FBDC is Financials Equities. They also come from different issuers: Macquarie and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for STAX and 1.35% for FBDC.