STAXvsSMBSETF Comparison
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Nomura Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF (STAX) belongs to the Municipal Bonds segment. Schwab Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (SMBS) is part of the MBS & ABS segment. STAX's top 1 sector exposures are Municipal. In contrast, SMBS's top sector exposures are Industrials, Finance and Government Agencies. STAX is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.29%, versus 0.03% for SMBS. STAX is up 0.62% year-to-date (YTD) with +$6M in YTD flows. SMBS performs worse with -1.53% YTD performance, and +$770M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of STAX and SMBS 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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STAX vs SMBS performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 10/16/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | STAX SMBS | -0.05%-0.22% | -0.88%-2.21% | +0.62%-1.53% | +1.00%-1.08% | n/an/a | n/an/a |
| Flows | STAX SMBS | -$3K-$72M | -$2M+$35M | +$6M+$770M | +$6M+$1.08B | -- | -- |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | STAX SMBS | +2.37%+5.52% | +1.45%+4.35% | n/an/a | n/an/a |
| Max drawdown | STAX SMBS | -2.49%-4.24% | -2.57%-5.12% | n/an/a | n/an/a |
| Max drawdown duration | STAX SMBS | 64d52d | 101d229d | n/an/a | n/an/a |
Trading data
STAX | SMBS | |
Last sale 10/16/2026 at 1:30 PM | $24.92 | $24.29 |
| Previous close 10/15/2026 | $24.92 | $24.32 |
| 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 indexSTAX | SMBS | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
STAX | SMBS | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $24.92 | $24.29 |
| 1D performance | +0.00% | -0.12% |
| AuM | $11.24 M | $6.29 B |
| E/R | 0.29% | 0.03% |
Characteristics
STAX | SMBS | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Active | Passive |
| Provider | Nomura | Schwab ETFs |
| Benchmark | - | Bloomberg U.S. MBS Float Adjusted Index |
| N° of holdings | 30 | 430 |
| Asset class | - | Bonds |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | November 28, 2023 | November 19, 2024 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
STAX
USA
34.04%
Other
65.96%
SMBS
USA
33.79%
Other
66.21%
Sectors
STAX
Municipal
34.04%
Other
65.96%
SMBS
Industrials
33.23%
Other
66.77%
Diversification
STAX
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
27.98%
SMBS
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
5.8%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of August 31, 2026
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%
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%
Frequently asked questions about STAX and SMBS
How have the STAX and SMBS ETFs performed in 2026?
As of October 16, 2026, STAX is up 0.62% year-to-date (YTD), while SMBS has lost -1.53%. That puts STAX better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: STAX or SMBS?
Year-to-date, the STAX ETF saw +$6M in flows, compared to +$770M for SMBS.
Which ETF is more volatile: STAX or SMBS?
Over the past year, STAX had a volatility of 1.45%, while SMBS experienced 4.35%.
Which ETF is bigger: STAX or SMBS?
As of October 16, 2026, STAX holds $11.24 M in assets under management (AUM), while SMBS manages $6.29 B.
What sectors do the STAX and SMBS ETFs invest in?
STAX leans toward sectors like Municipal. Meanwhile, SMBS focuses on Industrials.
What are the top holdings of the STAX ETF and SMBS ETF?
STAX top holdings include US650116FF84, US4521525L18 and US85236DAK46. SMBS holds in its top three: G2 MB0025, 5% 20nov2054, USD (ABS), US31427R6E50 and FR SD8469, 5.5% 1oct2054, USD (ABS).
Which ETF is more diversified: STAX or SMBS?
STAX holds 82 securities with 27.98% of its assets in the top 15. SMBS has 1965 securities and a top 15 weight of 5.8%.
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