The iShares MBS ETF (MBB) and the Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund ETF Shares (VMBS) are both among the Top 100 ETFs. MBB is a iShares Intermediate Government fund and VMBS is a Vanguard Intermediate Government fund. So, what’s the difference between MBB and VMBS? And which fund is better?
The expense ratio of MBB is 0.01 percentage points higher than VMBS’s (0.06% vs. 0.05%). MBB is mostly comprised of AAA bonds and VMBS has a high exposure to AAA bond. Overall, MBB has provided higher returns than VMBS over the past 10 years.
In this article, we’ll compare MBB vs. VMBS. We’ll look at industry exposure and holdings, as well as at their performance and annual returns. Moreover, I’ll also discuss MBB’s and VMBS’s fund composition, risk metrics, and portfolio growth and examine how these affect their overall returns.
FYI: Another great way to get exposure to the real estate sector is by investing in real estate debt. Groundfloor offers fantastic short-term, high-yield bonds that can add diversification to your portfolio!
Summary
| MBB | VMBS | |
| Name | iShares MBS ETF | Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund ETF Shares |
| Category | Intermediate Government | Intermediate Government |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| AUM | 25.69B | 16.61B |
| Avg. Return | 3.08% | 2.89% |
| Div. Yield | 1.88% | 1.23% |
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.05% |
The iShares MBS ETF (MBB) is a Intermediate Government fund that is issued by iShares. It currently has 25.69B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 3.08% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 1.88% with an expense ratio of 0.06%.
The Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund ETF Shares (VMBS) is a Intermediate Government fund that is issued by Vanguard. It currently has 16.61B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 2.89% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 1.23% with an expense ratio of 0.05%.
MBB’s dividend yield is 0.65% higher than that of VMBS (1.88% vs. 1.23%). Also, MBB yielded on average 0.18% more per year over the past decade (3.08% vs. 2.89%). The expense ratio of MBB is 0.01 percentage points higher than VMBS’s (0.06% vs. 0.05%).
FYI: The best way I've found to invest is through M1 Finance. It's free and you even get an instant line of credit and 100$! Have a look here (link to M1 Finance).
Fund Composition
Holdings
| MBB Bond Sectors | Weight |
| AAA | 99.51% |
| Others | 0.49% |
| Below B | 0.0% |
| B | 0.0% |
| BB | 0.0% |
| BBB | 0.0% |
| A | 0.0% |
| AA | 0.0% |
| US Government | 0.0% |
MBB’s Top Bond Sectors are ratings of AAA, Others, Below B, B, and BB at 99.51%, 0.49%, 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0%. The fund is less weighted towards BBB (0.0%), A (0.0%), and AA (0.0%) rated bonds.
| VMBS Bond Sectors | Weight |
| AAA | 100.01% |
| Below B | 0.0% |
| B | 0.0% |
| BB | 0.0% |
| BBB | 0.0% |
| A | 0.0% |
| AA | 0.0% |
| US Government | 0.0% |
| Others | -0.01% |
VMBS’s Top Bond Sectors are ratings of AAA, Below B, B, BB, and BBB at 100.01%, 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0%. The fund is less weighted towards A (0.0%), AA (0.0%), and US Government (0.0%) rated bonds.
Risk Analysis
| MBB | VMBS | |
| Mean Return | 0.2 | 0.21 |
| R-squared | 74.38 | 65.78 |
| Std. Deviation | 2.12 | 2.02 |
| Alpha | 0.14 | 0.37 |
| Beta | 0.6 | 0.54 |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.87 | 0.94 |
| Treynor Ratio | 3.02 | 3.47 |
The iShares MBS ETF (MBB) has a Sharpe Ratio of 0.87 with a Beta of 0.6 and a Alpha of 0.14. Its R-squared is 74.38 while MBB’s Treynor Ratio is 3.02. Furthermore, the fund has a Standard Deviation of 2.12 and a Mean Return of 0.2.
The Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund ETF Shares (VMBS) has a Alpha of 0.37 with a Standard Deviation of 2.02 and a R-squared of 65.78. Its Beta is 0.54 while VMBS’s Sharpe Ratio is 0.94. Furthermore, the fund has a Mean Return of 0.21 and a Treynor Ratio of 3.47.
MBB’s Mean Return is 0.01 points lower than that of VMBS and its R-squared is 8.60 points higher. With a Standard Deviation of 2.12, MBB is slightly more volatile than VMBS. The Alpha and Beta of MBB are 0.23 points lower and 0.06 points higher than VMBS’s Alpha and Beta.
NOTE: The easiest way to add diversification to your portfolio is to invest in real estate through Fundrise. You can become private real estate investor without the burden of property management! Check it out here (link to Fundrise).
Performance
Annual Returns
| Year | MBB | VMBS |
| 2020 | 4.03% | 3.77% |
| 2019 | 6.27% | 6.17% |
| 2018 | 0.81% | 0.87% |
| 2017 | 2.37% | 2.37% |
| 2016 | 1.28% | 1.43% |
| 2015 | 1.28% | 1.43% |
| 2014 | 6.16% | 5.81% |
| 2013 | -1.92% | -1.28% |
| 2012 | 2.23% | 2.47% |
| 2011 | 5.88% | 5.89% |
| 2010 | 5.44% | 5.24% |
MBB had its best year in 2019 with an annual return of 6.27%. MBB’s worst year over the past decade yielded -1.92% and occurred in 2013. In most years the iShares MBS ETF provided moderate returns such as in 2012, 2017, and 2020 where annual returns amounted to 2.23%, 2.37%, and 4.03% respectively.
The year 2019 was the strongest year for VMBS, returning 6.17% on an annual basis. The poorest year for VMBS in the last ten years was 2013, with a yield of -1.28%. Most years the Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund ETF Shares has given investors modest returns, such as in 2017, 2012, and 2020, when gains were 2.37%, 2.47%, and 3.77% respectively.
Portfolio Growth
| Fund | Initial Balance | Final Balance | CAGR |
| MBB | $10,000 | $13,189 | 3.08% |
| VMBS | $10,000 | $13,265 | 2.89% |
A $10,000 investment in MBB would have resulted in a final balance of $13,189. This is a profit of $3,189 over 10 years and amounts to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.08%.
With a $10,000 investment in VMBS, the end total would have been $13,265. This equates to a $3,265 profit over 10 years and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.89%.
MBB’s CAGR is 0.18 percentage points higher than that of VMBS and as a result, would have yielded $76 less on a $10,000 investment. Thus, MBB outperformed VMBS by 0.18% annually.
Current recommendations:
Over the past years, I have discovered several tools and products that have helped me tremendously on my path to financial freedom:
P.S.: The links below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you when you sign up for one of the services. Thank you for your support!
1)Personal Capital is simply the best tool out there to track your net worth and plan for financial freedom. Just their retirement planner alone has become an invaluable tool to keep myself on track financially. Try it out, it's free!
2) Take a look at M1 Finance, my favorite broker. I love how easy it is to invest and maintain my portfolio with them. I can set up automatic transfers, rebalance my portfolio with one click and even borrow up to 35% of my assets at super low interest rates!
3) Fundrise is by far the best way I've found to invest in Real Estate. You can diversify your portfolio by investing in their eREITs or even allocate capital to individual properties (without the hassle of managing tenants!).
4) Groundfloor is another great way to get exposure to the real estate sector by investing in short-term, high-yield real estate debt. Current returns are >10% and you can get started with just $10.
5) If you are interested in startup investing, check out Mainvest. I've started allocating a small amount of assets to invest in and support small businesses. Return targets are between 10-25% and you can start with just $100!
To see all of my most up-to-date recommendations, check out the Recommended Tools section.
I believe that money is just a means to an end: to be free to spend your time as you wish, to maximize your positive impact on the world.
