SUB vs. SMB

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

SUB (iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF) and SMB (VanEck Short Muni ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds - SUB tracks the ICE Short Maturity AMT-Free US National Municipal Index - Benchmark TR Gross while SMB tracks the Bloomberg AMT-Free Short Continuous. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SUB returned 1.48%/yr vs 1.53%/yr for SMB. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SUB charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for SMB.

Performance

SUB vs. SMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF (SUB) and VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SUB achieves a 0.93% return, which is significantly higher than SMB's 0.76% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SUB having a 1.48% annualized return and SMB not far ahead at 1.53%.

SUB

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 0.93%
• 6M: 1.09%
• 1Y: 3.02%
• 3Y*: 3.12%
• 5Y*: 1.50%
• 10Y*: 1.48%

SMB

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 0.76%
• 6M: 0.99%
• 1Y: 3.56%
• 3Y*: 3.52%
• 5Y*: 1.22%
• 10Y*: 1.53%

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

SUB vs. SMB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SUB iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF	0.93%	3.64%	2.17%	2.91%	-2.05%	0.03%	2.51%	2.93%	1.85%	0.75%
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF	0.76%	4.61%	2.41%	3.14%	-4.50%	0.12%	3.30%	4.54%	1.86%	1.16%

Correlation

The correlation between SUB and SMB is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2008	0.26

The correlation between SUB and SMB shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (all time) to 0.55 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SUB vs. SMB — Risk / Return Rank

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

SUB

SUB Risk / Return Rank: 84
SUB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SUB Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SUB Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SUB Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SUB Martin Ratio Rank: 62

SMB

SMB Risk / Return Rank: 69
SMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
SMB Omega Ratio Rank: 78
SMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SMB Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

SUB vs. SMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF (SUB) and VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB). 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.

	SUB	SMB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.00	2.19	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.34	3.21	+1.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.43	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.76	3.06	+0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.63	8.59	+2.04

SUB vs. SMB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SUB Sharpe Ratio is 3.00, which is higher than the SMB Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SUB and SMB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SUB vs. SMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SUB drawdown since its inception was -9.46%, smaller than the maximum SMB drawdown of -12.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUB and SMB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SUB	SMB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.46%	-12.64%	+3.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.81%	-1.17%	+0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.23%	-1.80%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.35%	-7.48%	+3.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.46%	-12.64%	+3.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.05%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.91%	-1.14%	+0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	0.42%	-0.14%

Volatility

SUB vs. SMB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF (SUB) is 0.25%, while VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB) has a volatility of 0.29%. This indicates that SUB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SUB	SMB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.25%	0.29%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.80%	1.17%	-0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.01%	1.64%	-0.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.64%	2.48%	-0.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.59%	4.26%	-1.67%

SUB vs. SMB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SUB has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SMB's 0.20% 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

SUB vs. SMB - Dividend Comparison

SUB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, less than SMB's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF	2.69%	2.63%	2.38%	1.83%	1.32%	1.24%	1.50%	1.58%	1.49%	1.23%	1.12%	1.13%
SUB iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF	2.52%	2.42%	2.10%	1.73%	0.86%	0.72%	1.23%	1.58%	1.32%	0.95%	0.75%	0.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SUB and SMB in my portfolio?

SUB and SMB have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SUB or SMB?

SMB has higher volatility (0.29%) compared to SUB (0.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUB dropped -9.46% vs SMB's -12.64%.

Which ETF is better, SUB or SMB?

On 10-year performance, SMB leads with 1.53% vs 1.48% for SUB. On fees, SUB is cheaper at 0.07% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SUB or SMB?

Over the 10-year period, SMB has performed better with a 1.53% return vs 1.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SUB or SMB?

SUB is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for SMB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SUB or SMB?

SMB has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 2.52% for SUB.

What is the main difference between SUB and SMB?

SUB tracks ICE Short Maturity AMT-Free US National Municipal Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while SMB tracks Bloomberg AMT-Free Short Continuous. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for SUB and 0.20% for SMB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SUB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 2.19), 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.