SMBSvsSTAXETF Comparison
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Schwab Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (SMBS) belongs to the MBS & ABS segment. Nomura Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF (STAX) is part of the Municipal Bonds segment. SMBS's top 3 sector exposures are Industrials, Finance and Government Agencies. In contrast, STAX's top sector exposures are Municipal. SMBS is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.03%, versus 0.29% for STAX. SMBS is down -1.53% year-to-date (YTD) with +$770M in YTD flows. STAX performs better with 0.62% YTD performance, and +$6M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of SMBS and STAX below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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SMBS vs STAX performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 10/16/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | SMBS STAX | -0.22%-0.05% | -2.21%-0.88% | -1.53%+0.62% | -1.08%+1.00% | n/an/a | n/an/a |
| Flows | SMBS STAX | -$72M-$3K | +$35M-$2M | +$770M+$6M | +$1.08B+$6M | -- | -- |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | SMBS STAX | +5.52%+2.37% | +4.35%+1.45% | n/an/a | n/an/a |
| Max drawdown | SMBS STAX | -4.24%-2.49% | -5.12%-2.57% | n/an/a | n/an/a |
| Max drawdown duration | SMBS STAX | 52d64d | 229d101d | n/an/a | n/an/a |
Trading data
SMBS | STAX | |
Last sale 10/16/2026 at 1:30 PM | $24.29 | $24.92 |
| Previous close 10/15/2026 | $24.32 | $24.92 |
| Consolidated volume 10/15/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of September 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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STAX
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an indexSMBS | STAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 10/16/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
SMBS | STAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $24.29 | $24.92 |
| 1D performance | -0.12% | +0.00% |
| AuM | $6.29 B | $11.24 M |
| E/R | 0.03% | 0.29% |
Characteristics
SMBS | STAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Active |
| Provider | Schwab ETFs | Nomura |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg U.S. MBS Float Adjusted Index | - |
| N° of holdings | 430 | 30 |
| Asset class | Bonds | - |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | November 19, 2024 | November 28, 2023 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
SMBS
USA
33.79%
Other
66.21%
STAX
USA
34.04%
Other
65.96%
Sectors
SMBS
Industrials
33.23%
Other
66.77%
STAX
Municipal
34.04%
Other
65.96%
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Diversification
SMBS
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
5.8%
STAX
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
27.98%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of August 31, 2026
SMBS
G2 MB0025, 5% 20nov2054, USD (ABS)
0.67%
US31427R6E50
0.59%
FR SD8469, 5.5% 1oct2054, USD (ABS)
0.48%
FR SD8193, 2% 1feb2052, USD (ABS)
0.40%
US31418DYX47
0.40%
FR SD8106, 2% 1nov2050, USD (ABS)
0.36%
US3618N6HU47
0.35%
FR RQ0110, 5% 1apr2056, USD (ABS)
0.34%
FR RQ0102, 5% 1mar2056, USD (ABS)
0.34%
US3132DWDC47
0.33%
FR SD7552, 2.5% 1jan2052, USD (ABS)
0.31%
US31418EQ948
0.31%
US3142J6BK85
0.30%
US3132DWAN39
0.30%
US3618N6NA19
0.30%
STAX
US650116FF84
2.40%
US4521525L18
2.31%
US85236DAK46
2.12%
Chicago, 5% 1nov2026, USD (2004)
2.08%
US45470YGF25
1.90%
US54877EAC03
1.89%
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. (NJ), 5% 1jun2029, USD (2018A)
1.82%
New York Transportation Development Corp., 5% 1jan2028, USD (2018)
1.80%
US472682YZ07
1.79%
US73358XNJ71
1.74%
US60374VEX73
1.73%
US46613SRN26
1.73%
US725304TX70
1.66%
US63608SAG75
1.55%
Equitable School Revolving Fund, 5% 1nov2028, USD (2022A)
1.47%
Frequently asked questions about SMBS and STAX
How have the SMBS and STAX ETFs performed in 2026?
As of October 16, 2026, SMBS is down -1.53% year-to-date (YTD), while STAX has returned 0.62%. That puts STAX better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: SMBS or STAX?
Year-to-date, the SMBS ETF saw +$770M in flows, compared to +$6M for STAX.
Which ETF is more volatile: SMBS or STAX?
Over the past year, SMBS had a volatility of 4.35%, while STAX experienced 1.45%.
Which ETF is bigger: SMBS or STAX?
As of October 16, 2026, SMBS holds $6.29 B in assets under management (AUM), while STAX manages $11.24 M.
What sectors do the SMBS and STAX ETFs invest in?
SMBS leans toward sectors like Industrials. Meanwhile, STAX focuses on Municipal.
What are the top holdings of the SMBS ETF and STAX ETF?
SMBS top holdings include G2 MB0025, 5% 20nov2054, USD (ABS), US31427R6E50 and FR SD8469, 5.5% 1oct2054, USD (ABS). STAX holds in its top three: US650116FF84, US4521525L18 and US85236DAK46.
Which ETF is more diversified: SMBS or STAX?
SMBS holds 1965 securities with 5.8% of its assets in the top 15. STAX has 82 securities and a top 15 weight of 27.98%.
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