DSM vs JHMU
BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Inc vs John Hancock Dynamic Municipal Bond ETF
Which is better, DSM or JHMU?
Each has led over a different period.
JHMU has a lower expense ratio. DSM led over 3Y and the full window, JHMU over 1Y.
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 | JHMU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.09% | 0.39%Best |
| AUM | $335M | $53M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.50% | 4.06% |
| Holdings | 233 | 424 |
| YTD Return | -13.99% | -2.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.44% | -0.91%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.32%Best | +4.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.62% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.5% | 4.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.8% | -6.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $11,815Best | $11,466 |
| Fund Family | BNY Mellon Investment Management | John Hancock Investment Management |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | Nov 22, 1989 | Nov 1, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 2, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.9 years).
DSM vs JHMU 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
DSM vs JHMU Performance
BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Inc (DSM) is an ETF from BNY Mellon Investment Management and John Hancock Dynamic Municipal Bond ETF (JHMU) is an ETF from John Hancock Investment Management. Over the past year DSM returned -10.44% while JHMU returned -0.91%. Year to date, DSM is down 13.99% versus a loss of 2.25% for JHMU.
Over three years, DSM compounded at +5.32% per year against +4.83% for JHMU.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.5% compared with 4.5% for JHMU. 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 -6.2% for JHMU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DSM charges 1.09% per year while JHMU charges 0.39%. On a $10,000 position that is $109 vs $39 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DSM currently yields 5.50% against 4.06% for JHMU.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 101 holdings in DSM and 117 in JHMU, totalling 41.1% and 39.3% 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, 2 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, DSM as of Jul 31, 2026 and JHMU as of Oct 2, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in DSM and 117 in JHMU, against full books of 233 and 424.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DSM | Weight in JHMU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK NRTFAC 4 06/01/20Northern Tobacco Securitization Corporation, Alaska, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed Bonds, Senior Series 2021A Class 1 | 0.68% | 0.36% | 0.32% |
| TX TMGUTL 01/01/2054Texas St Muni Gas Acquisition & Sply Corp Iv Variable Rate, Due 01/01/2054 | 0.44% | 0.57% | 0.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DSM and JHMU 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 JHMU?
DSM has an expense ratio of 1.09% while JHMU charges 0.39%. JHMU is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DSM or JHMU?
Over the past year DSM returned -10.44% vs -0.91% for JHMU, so JHMU leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DSM or JHMU?
DSM has been the more volatile fund at 11.5% annualized versus 4.5% for JHMU. Worst drawdown: DSM -19.8% vs JHMU -6.2%.
Should I hold both DSM and JHMU?
DSM and JHMU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 JHMU?
DSM yields 5.50% while JHMU yields 4.06%, so DSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is JHMU better than DSM?
JHMU has a lower expense ratio. DSM led over 3Y and the full window, JHMU over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.