Municipal Bonds: I'm Choosing HYMB Over HYD

State Street® SPDR® Nuveen ICE High Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HYMB) is rated a buy, while VanEck High Yield Muni ETF (HYD) is rated hold. HYMB offers higher yields and better risk-adjusted returns despite a slightly higher expense ratio and increased volatility compared to HYD. Current stabilizing interest rates and resilient municipal fundamentals create a favorable outlook for high-yield municipal bonds.

Seeking Alpha • Nov 5, 2025

4 High-Yield Muni Bond Monthly Pay ETFs

Many Boomers in 2025 need dependable passive income, and one outstanding way to achieve this is to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

24/7 Wall Street • Oct 17, 2025

HYMB: A Good Attempt But Not Quite Right

SPDR Nuveen ICE High Yield Municipal Bond ETF offers exposure to lower-rated and unrated municipal bonds, aiming for higher tax-exempt yields. HYMB tracks an index, resulting in broad diversification but limited selectivity, which may cap potential returns compared to more actively managed muni funds. The ETF's current yield of 4.53% is not compelling vs. alternatives like SHYM and NMCO, which offer similar or better returns with less interest rate risk.

Seeking Alpha • Oct 14, 2025

HYMB: Prefer Duration Without High-Yield Complication

HYMB offers a high yield but exposes investors to significant credit and transmitting duration risk, especially with some initial recessionary flashes from the jobs data. Strong Q2 demand for municipal bonds may not persist if recessionary pressures increase. HYMB's sensitivity to credit spreads and baseline rates, combined with a high expense ratio, makes it less appealing than safer Treasury ETFs.

Seeking Alpha • Aug 11, 2025

Unleveraged Options In The Tax-Exempt Sector

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.

Seeking Alpha • Jul 25, 2025

HYMB: Solid High-Yield Muni Bond ETF, Growing, Tax-Advantaged 4.5% Yield

HYMB focuses on high-yield muni bonds. It offers investors a tax-advantaged 4.5% dividend yield and competitive after-tax returns. HYMB is a solid investment opportunity and should be of particular interest to investors in taxable accounts facing higher marginal tax rates.

Seeking Alpha • May 28, 2025

HYMB: An Interesting Alternative For Tax-Free Income

Muni bonds have recently declined, but HYMB offers a compelling 4.5% tax-free yield, making it an option for parking cash. HYMB's lack of leverage reduces risk, especially if interest rates remain stable, and offers potential for price appreciation alongside monthly tax-free dividends. The ETF's good trading volumes and no-leverage structure make it a safer, more liquid choice compared to leveraged CEFs in the current rate environment.

Seeking Alpha • Apr 21, 2025

HYMB: Solid For A High Yield Muni Fund

HYMB aims to replicate the performance of the Bloomberg Municipal Yield Index. HYMB currently has 1,777 holdings, showcasing its extensive diversification. The majority of bonds still have some degree of credit risk, but less so that high yield corporate bond funds.

Seeking Alpha • Feb 14, 2024

HYMB: High-Yield Municipal Bond ETF, Growing 4.4% Yield

HYMB offers a tax-exempt 4.4% dividend yield, making it potentially attractive for investors in higher tax brackets. It offers few other benefits. An overview of the fund follows.

Seeking Alpha • Nov 7, 2023

HYMB: It's Not The Time For Junk Munis

The SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg High Yield Municipal Bond ETF offers a high tax-equivalent yield of 7.9% but takes on significant risk by investing in junk and non-rated municipal bonds. Economic turmoil and a potential recession could lead to increased defaults in the high-risk municipal bond market, making the slightly higher yield not worth the risk. I rate HYMB a Sell.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 22, 2023