MBNE vs VYM
State Street Nuveen Municipal Bond ESG ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MBNE or VYM?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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
| Metric | MBNE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $9M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.50% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 37 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.5%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.2%Best | -15.8% |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $10,885 | $15,677Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 4, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 133 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MBNE has data through May 12, 2026 and VYM through Sep 22, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 5, 2022 to May 12, 2026 (4.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 5.5% for MBNE. 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 -6.2% for MBNE and -15.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MBNE charges 0.43% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $4 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MBNE currently yields 3.50% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8 holdings in MBNE and 557 in VYM, totalling 20.7% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 182 days apart, MBNE as of Jan 30, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 8 positions we hold weights for in MBNE and 557 in VYM, against full books of 37 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MBNE and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MBNE or VYM?
MBNE has an expense ratio of 0.43% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $39 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MBNE or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 5.5% for MBNE. Worst drawdown: MBNE -6.2% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both MBNE and VYM?
MBNE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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, MBNE or VYM?
MBNE yields 3.50% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MBNE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MBNE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.