iShares Short Maturity Bond ETF

NEAR

Market cap $3.77B

iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF remains a compelling choice for monthly income seekers prioritizing low-risk and controlled volatility. NEAR offers a strong balance of scale, liquidity, and 1-year price outperformance, despite a slightly higher expense ratio compared to GSST and ULST. Current macro conditions—stable inflation and cooling employment—support expectations for further rate cuts, favoring NEAR's carry and price stability.

iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF offers active management and broad diversification, focusing on US Treasuries, investment-grade bonds, and securitized assets to generate stable carry. Current macro environment favors short-duration bonds, with declining rates likely to support returns through carry and roll-down, though future yields may decline with rate cuts. The fund's risk is well managed, with low duration and strong diversification, minimizing idiosyncratic credit and liquidity risks for investors seeking low volatility.

Market uncertainty and high short-term yields put money-market ETFs like MINT, NEAR and ICSH in the spotlight for income and stability seekers.

The 10-Year Treasury yield signals that the market does not expect a recession in the near term. Current yield levels suggest inflation expectations remain elevated compared to recent years. Investors should interpret the bond market as pricing in persistent inflation rather than imminent economic contraction.

NEAR holds a mix of US Treasuries (39%), investment-grade corporates (25%), and asset-backed securities (16%), with a focus on high-quality, low-risk assets (71% rated AA or higher). The fund's 2-year duration introduces moderate rate sensitivity, leading to minor price declines with rising rates but offering upside potential in a falling rate environment. NEAR provides a 4.58% 30-day SEC yield and a 51 basis point option-adjusted spread (OAS) over equivalent treasuries, offering attractive risk-adjusted returns.

iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF is a good balance of risk and reward. The NEAR ETF primarily holds Treasuries. It's got a strong yield for the risk profile.

BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF holds short-term securities. Unlike majority of the ETFs out there, this one is actively managed. BlackRock's Short Duration Portfolio Team is at the helm, steering this ship in response to the market and macro conditions.

Fixed income ETFs continue to gain traction globally. As of August 2024, the asset category managed $2.5 trillion in assets, with iShares managing $1 trillion alone.

We think the BlackRock Short Duration Bond ETF is perfectly aligned to prosper in an uncertain interest rate environment. Although its low duration limits upside pricing prospects, it costs a compelling dividend yield. The ETF's inclusion of high-quality corporate bonds likely enhances its yield potential while diversifying risk.

The ETF has transformed itself from a cash-like fund to one holding riskier assets with a higher duration profile of 1.92 years. NEAR's price sensitivity has increased due to its extended duration. The fund is positioned to benefit if interest rates decrease. Despite the increase in the fund's duration, the credit profile for the name is very benign, with most holdings falling in the AAA or AA ratings band.