FTCB vs MFSB
First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF vs MFS Active Core Plus Bond ETF
Which is better, FTCB or MFSB?
Nearly the same fund. MFSB costs less.
MFSB has a lower expense ratio. MFSB led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | FTCB | MFSB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.56% | 0.34%Best |
| AUM | $2.7B | $614M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.59% | 4.82% |
| Holdings | 1,580 | 470 |
| YTD Return | -2.74% | -1.56%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.07% | -1.36%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.36% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.3% | 3.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -5.6% | -4.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $10,270 | $10,374Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | MFS Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Investment Grade Bond | Investment Grade Bond |
| Inception | Nov 7, 2023 | Dec 5, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 5, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.9 years).
FTCB vs MFSB 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
FTCB vs MFSB Performance
First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF (FTCB) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and MFS Active Core Plus Bond ETF (MFSB) is an ETF from MFS Investment Management. Over the past year FTCB returned -3.07% while MFSB returned -1.36%. Year to date, FTCB is down 2.74% versus a loss of 1.56% for MFSB.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.3% compared with 3.9% for MFSB. 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 -5.6% for FTCB and -4.1% for MFSB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCB charges 0.56% per year while MFSB charges 0.34%. On a $10,000 position that is $56 vs $34 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCB currently yields 5.59% against 4.82% for MFSB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 13 holdings in FTCB and 180 in MFSB, totalling 4.5% and 42.2% 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.
2 positions in common, counted across the 13 positions we hold weights for in FTCB and 180 in MFSB, against full books of 1,580 and 470.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTCB | Weight in MFSB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNCL 5.5 9/11Umbs 30Yr Tba(Reg A) 5.5 Sep 14, 2020 | 1.98% | 0.46% | 1.52% |
| FNCL 3 9/11Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security, Tba 3 09/01/2053 | 0.21% | 0.93% | 0.72% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCB and MFSB 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, FTCB or MFSB?
FTCB has an expense ratio of 0.56% while MFSB charges 0.34%. MFSB is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCB or MFSB?
Over the past year FTCB returned -3.07% vs -1.36% for MFSB, so MFSB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FTCB annualized +1.41% vs +1.95% for MFSB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCB or MFSB?
FTCB has been the more volatile fund at 4.3% annualized versus 3.9% for MFSB. Worst drawdown: FTCB -5.6% vs MFSB -4.1%.
Should I hold both FTCB and MFSB?
FTCB and MFSB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCB or MFSB?
FTCB yields 5.59% while MFSB yields 4.82%, so FTCB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MFSB better than FTCB?
MFSB has a lower expense ratio. MFSB led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.