DSM vs FLMB
BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Inc vs Franklin Municipal Green Bond ETF
Which is better, DSM or FLMB?
Each has led over a different period.
FLMB has a lower expense ratio. DSM led over 3Y, FLMB over 1Y, 5Y 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 | FLMB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.09% | 0.30%Best |
| AUM | $335M | $54M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.50% | 4.40% |
| Holdings | 233 | 77 |
| YTD Return | -13.99% | -4.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.44% | -3.50%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.32%Best | +3.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.62% | -0.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 6.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.8% | -17.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,894 | $9,718Best |
| Fund Family | BNY Mellon Investment Management | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | Nov 22, 1989 | Aug 31, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 5, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.1 years).
DSM vs FLMB 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 9.1 years both funds cover.
DSM vs FLMB Performance
BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Inc (DSM) is an ETF from BNY Mellon Investment Management and Franklin Municipal Green Bond ETF (FLMB) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US). Over the past year DSM returned -10.44% while FLMB returned -3.50%. Year to date, DSM is down 13.99% versus a loss of 4.44% for FLMB.
Over three years, DSM compounded at +5.32% per year against +3.41% for FLMB; over five years the annualized figures are -4.62% and -0.57% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, FLMB has the edge at +0.65% annualized vs -2.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 6.9% for FLMB. 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 -38.8% for DSM and -17.9% for FLMB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DSM charges 1.09% per year while FLMB charges 0.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $109 vs $30 annually, a gap of $79 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DSM currently yields 5.50% against 4.40% for FLMB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 101 holdings in DSM and 21 in FLMB, totalling 41.1% and 43.7% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, DSM as of Jul 31, 2026 and FLMB as of Oct 2, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DSM and 21 in FLMB, against full books of 233 and 77.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DSM | Weight in FLMB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR ARSDEV 5.7 05/01/Arkansas Dev Fin 5.7% 05/01/53 | 0.54% | 0.50% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DSM and FLMB 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 FLMB?
DSM has an expense ratio of 1.09% while FLMB charges 0.30%. FLMB is the cheaper option, by $79 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DSM or FLMB?
Over the past year DSM returned -10.44% vs -3.50% for FLMB, so FLMB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), DSM annualized -2.89% vs +0.65% for FLMB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DSM or FLMB?
DSM has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 6.9% for FLMB. Worst drawdown: DSM -38.8% vs FLMB -17.9%.
Should I hold both DSM and FLMB?
DSM and FLMB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 FLMB?
DSM yields 5.50% while FLMB yields 4.40%, so DSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FLMB better than DSM?
FLMB has a lower expense ratio. DSM led over 3Y, FLMB over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.