MBND vs VTI

MBND vs VTI

Which is better, MBND or VTI?

Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: VTI

MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMBNDVTI
Expense Ratio0.40%0.03%Best
AUM$27M$666.9B
Dividend Yield3.51%1.03%
Holdings733,543
YTD Return-4.92%+12.30%Best
1Y Return-3.93%+16.08%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+1.74%+21.01%Best
5Y Return (annualized)-0.68%+12.36%Best
Volatility (annualized)5.5%Best15.4%
Max Drawdown-13.2%Best-25.4%
$10,000 over 5 years$9,665$17,908Best
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementVanguard (US)
CategoryFixed IncomeEquity
StyleMunicipal BondLarge Cap Blend
InceptionFeb 4, 2021May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 4, 2021 to Sep 18, 2026 (5.6 years).

MBND vs VTI growth

Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.6 years both funds cover.

MBND vs VTI Performance

State Street Nuveen Municipal Bond ETF (MBND) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MBND returned -3.93% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, MBND is down 4.92% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.

Over three years, MBND compounded at +1.74% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.68% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.10% annualized vs -0.42%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 5.5% for MBND. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -13.2% for MBND and -25.4% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.

Fees and Cost Over Time

MBND charges 0.40% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $3 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MBND currently yields 3.51% against 1.03% for VTI.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of MBND and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

MBNDVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, MBND or VTI?

MBND has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, MBND or VTI?

Over the past year MBND returned -3.93% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), MBND annualized -0.42% vs +13.10% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, MBND or VTI?

VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 5.5% for MBND. Worst drawdown: MBND -13.2% vs VTI -25.4%.

Should I hold both MBND and VTI?

MBND and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which pays a higher dividend, MBND or VTI?

MBND yields 3.51% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MBND currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than MBND?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.