MUNB vs VYM
Northern Trust 2035 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MUNB or VYM?
Long Term 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 | MUNB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $14M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.23% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 253 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.02% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.78% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.4%Best | 9.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.8%Best | -6.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,092 | $12,037Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Municipal Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 1, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 19, 2025 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.1 years).
MUNB vs VYM 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
MUNB vs VYM Performance
Northern Trust 2035 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF (MUNB) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MUNB returned -0.78% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, MUNB is down 1.02% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.5% compared with 3.4% for MUNB. 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 -2.8% for MUNB and -6.7% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MUNB charges 0.18% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $4 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MUNB currently yields 2.23% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 19 holdings in MUNB and 557 in VYM, totalling 11.8% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in MUNB and 557 in VYM, against full books of 253 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MUNB 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, MUNB or VYM?
MUNB has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MUNB or VYM?
Over the past year MUNB returned -0.78% vs +16.61% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), MUNB annualized +0.84% vs +18.36% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MUNB or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 9.5% annualized versus 3.4% for MUNB. Worst drawdown: MUNB -2.8% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both MUNB and VYM?
MUNB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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, MUNB or VYM?
MUNB yields 2.23% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MUNB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MUNB?
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.