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The VanEck Long Muni ETF (MLN) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the ICE Long AMT-Free Broad National Municipal Index (MBNL), which is intended to track the overall performance of the U.S. dollar denominated long-term tax-exempt bond market.
Is MLN's expense ratio expensive, average, or a steal for its category?
Pro reveals the verdict on a 5-tier spectrum calibrated against ICI 2025 industry averages, with strategy-aware bands so the comparison is meaningful.
Muni ETFs just posted record inflows. Jim Colby on why low volatility, strong risk-adjusted returns, and tax-advantaged yields keep drawing investors in.
VanEck Long Muni ETF offers tax-free income by investing in long-term, investment-grade municipal bonds, appealing to higher-rate taxpayers. MLN minimizes credit risk but exposes investors to significant interest rate risk due to its long bond maturities, impacting returns during rate hikes. The fund's conservative credit approach may miss opportunities, as default rates in the muni market are very low and unrated bonds can offer higher yields without much added risk.
Fund-level leverage is only attractive when carry or capital gains potential is high; current tight spreads and an inverted yield curve make it less appealing. For tax-exempt CEFs, higher yields often come from longer duration, not leverage; unleveraged long-duration funds or ETFs can offer similar or better yields. Investors should not assume more leverage is always better; careful, situation-specific exposure to fund-level leverage is key to balancing risk and return.
Compare corporate and municipal bonds, including risks, returns, and tax benefits. Learn which bond type fits your investment goals.
Municipal bonds are back to offer compelling risk-adjusted opportunities, but future decisions from Washington can either act as a tailwind or headwind. Municipal bond funds saw net inflows during 2024, first annual inflow since 2021—which was a record year. 2024 was a record year in municipal bond issuance. With attractive yields, the market may start to pay more attention to tax-equivalent yield advantages offered through municipal debt.