DSM vs EVSM
BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Inc vs Eaton Vance Short Duration Municipal Income ETF
Which is better, DSM or EVSM?
EVSM has been ahead.
EVSM has a lower expense ratio. EVSM 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 | DSM | EVSM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.09% | 0.19%Best |
| AUM | $335M | $1.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.50% | 3.06% |
| Holdings | 233 | 784 |
| YTD Return | -13.99% | +0.32%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.44% | +0.81%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.32% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.62% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.6% | 1.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.8% | -2.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $9,778 | $10,736Best |
| Fund Family | BNY Mellon Investment Management | Eaton Vance |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | Nov 22, 1989 | Mar 25, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 25, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.6 years).
DSM vs EVSM 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
DSM vs EVSM Performance
BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Inc (DSM) is an ETF from BNY Mellon Investment Management and Eaton Vance Short Duration Municipal Income ETF (EVSM) is an ETF from Eaton Vance. Over the past year DSM returned -10.44% while EVSM returned +0.81%. Year to date, DSM is down 13.99% versus a gain of 0.32% for EVSM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.6% compared with 1.8% for EVSM. 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 -19.8% for DSM and -2.0% for EVSM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DSM charges 1.09% per year while EVSM charges 0.19%. On a $10,000 position that is $109 vs $19 annually, a gap of $90 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DSM currently yields 5.50% against 3.06% for EVSM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 101 holdings in DSM and 97 in EVSM, totalling 41.1% and 29.5% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 5 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, DSM as of Jul 31, 2026 and EVSM as of Oct 1, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
5 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DSM and 97 in EVSM, against full books of 233 and 784.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DSM | Weight in EVSM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL BBEUTL 06/01/2049Black Belt Energy Gas Dist Ala 5.5% Feb 01, 2029 | 1.34% | 0.27% | 1.07% |
| IL ILS 5 11/01/2028Ils 5.000 11/01/28 | 0.85% | 0.28% | 0.57% |
| NY NYEFAC 07/01/2056New York Energy Fin Dev Corp Nyefac 07/56 Adjustable Var | 0.56% | 0.16% | 0.40% |
| CA CASFIN 4 07/15/20California Municipal Finance A Casfin 07/29 Fixed 4 4 2029-07-15 | 0.28% | 0.25% | 0.03% |
| PR PRC 5.62 07/01/20Pr Commonwealth 5.62% 07/01/2027 | 0.03% | 0.47% | 0.44% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DSM and EVSM 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, DSM or EVSM?
DSM has an expense ratio of 1.09% while EVSM charges 0.19%. EVSM is the cheaper option, by $90 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DSM or EVSM?
Over the past year DSM returned -10.44% vs +0.81% for EVSM, so EVSM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DSM or EVSM?
DSM has been the more volatile fund at 11.6% annualized versus 1.8% for EVSM. Worst drawdown: DSM -19.8% vs EVSM -2.0%.
Should I hold both DSM and EVSM?
DSM and EVSM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, DSM or EVSM?
DSM yields 5.50% while EVSM yields 3.06%, so DSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is EVSM better than DSM?
EVSM has a lower expense ratio. EVSM 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.