TXXI vs. MFLX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TXXI (BondBloxx IR+M Tax-Aware Intermediate Duration ETF) and MFLX (First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TXXI returned 6.65% vs 9.08% for MFLX. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TXXI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for MFLX.

Performance

TXXI vs. MFLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BondBloxx IR+M Tax-Aware Intermediate Duration ETF (TXXI) and First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MFLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TXXI achieves a 1.45% return, which is significantly lower than MFLX's 3.39% return.

TXXI

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 2.04%
• 1Y: 6.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MFLX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 1.27%
• YTD: 3.39%
• 6M: 3.87%
• 1Y: 9.08%
• 3Y*: 5.59%
• 5Y*: -0.02%
• 10Y*: —

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

TXXI vs. MFLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TXXI BondBloxx IR+M Tax-Aware Intermediate Duration ETF	1.45%	4.34%
MFLX First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF	3.39%	3.30%

Correlation

The correlation between TXXI and MFLX is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 2025	0.50

The correlation between TXXI and MFLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TXXI vs. MFLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TXXI

TXXI Risk / Return Rank: 65
TXXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
TXXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
TXXI Omega Ratio Rank: 87
TXXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
TXXI Martin Ratio Rank: 44

MFLX

MFLX Risk / Return Rank: 71
MFLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
MFLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
MFLX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
MFLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
MFLX 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.

TXXI vs. MFLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BondBloxx IR+M Tax-Aware Intermediate Duration ETF (TXXI) and First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MFLX). 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.

	TXXI	MFLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.24	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	3.42	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.48	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.17	2.93	-0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.12	11.77	-4.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TXXI vs. MFLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TXXI Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the MFLX Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TXXI and MFLX, 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

	TXXI	MFLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	2.24	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.00	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.38	0.19	+1.19

Drawdowns

TXXI vs. MFLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TXXI drawdown since its inception was -3.08%, smaller than the maximum MFLX drawdown of -26.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TXXI and MFLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TXXI	MFLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.08%	-26.76%	+23.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.08%	-3.11%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-8.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.88%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-3.72%	+2.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.71%	-8.17%	+7.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.77%	+0.17%

Volatility

TXXI vs. MFLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BondBloxx IR+M Tax-Aware Intermediate Duration ETF (TXXI) is 0.84%, while First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MFLX) has a volatility of 1.41%. This indicates that TXXI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MFLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TXXI	MFLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.84%	1.41%	-0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.24%	2.98%	-0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.84%	4.08%	-1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.46%	10.36%	-6.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.46%	11.29%	-7.83%

TXXI vs. MFLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TXXI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than MFLX's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

TXXI vs. MFLX - Dividend Comparison

TXXI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.46%, less than MFLX's 4.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
MFLX First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF	4.07%	4.06%	3.81%	3.65%	4.27%	3.69%	3.21%	2.94%	3.74%	3.80%	0.98%
TXXI BondBloxx IR+M Tax-Aware Intermediate Duration ETF	3.46%	2.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TXXI and MFLX in my portfolio?

TXXI and MFLX have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TXXI or MFLX?

MFLX has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to TXXI (0.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TXXI dropped -3.08% vs MFLX's -26.76%.

Which ETF is better, TXXI or MFLX?

On 1-year performance, MFLX leads with 9.08% vs 6.65% for TXXI. On fees, TXXI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, TXXI has been the lower-risk option at 0.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TXXI or MFLX?

Over the 1-year period, MFLX has performed better with a 9.08% return vs 6.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TXXI or MFLX?

TXXI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for MFLX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TXXI or MFLX?

MFLX has the higher dividend yield at 4.07%, compared with 3.46% for TXXI.

What is the main difference between TXXI and MFLX?

They also come from different issuers: BondBloxx and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for TXXI and 0.88% for MFLX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TXXI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.24), 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.