A side-by-side comparison of iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF (CALI) and BNY Mellon Municipal Short Duration ETF (BKMS) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | CALI | BKMS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +0.17%✓ | +0.15% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.07%✓ | -0.11% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.17% | +0.18%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +0.73%✓ | +1.07% |
| Current Price | $50.25 | $25.34 |
| AUM | $701M✓ | $464M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.21% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 2.58%✓ | 2.56% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2023-07-11 | 2000-10-02 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | US Municipal Bonds | US Municipal Bonds |
| Beta | -41.78 | 0.28 |
| 52-Week High | $50.98 | $25.39 |
| 52-Week Low | $49.28 | $24.34 |
| 50-Day MA | $50.06 | $25.21 |
| 200-Day MA | $50.37 | $25.46 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | CALI | BKMS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +0.17%✓ | +0.15% |
| 1 Year | +1.97% | +2.17%✓ |
| 3 Year | +3.00% | +3.35%✓ |
| 5 Year | — | +1.85% |
| 10 Year | — | +1.49% |
| 1Y Volatility | 1.69% | 2.55% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | -1.17 | -0.54 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Sector Weights
| Sector | CALI | BKMS |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About CALI
Under normal circumstances, the fund will primarily invest in U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade short-term fixed- and floating-rate municipal securities issued by California with remaining maturities of five years or less, such as municipal bonds, municipal notes and variable rate demand obligations, as well as money market instruments and registered investment companies. The fund is non-diversified.
About BKMS
The fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in municipal bonds that provide income exempt from federal personal income tax. Generally, its average effective portfolio maturity and the average effective duration of the fund's portfolio will be less than three years. The fund may invest in individual municipal and taxable bonds of any maturity or duration.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both CALI and BKMS are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, CALI scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CALI and BKMS?
CALI (iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF) and BKMS (BNY Mellon Municipal Short Duration ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($701M vs $464M), dividend yield (2.58% vs 2.56%), and year-to-date performance (+0.17% vs +0.15%).
Is CALI better than BKMS?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, CALI has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy CALI and BKMS on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both CALI and BKMS should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
Free newsletter · Every Tuesday morning
The Tuesday Stock Pick
One Canadian stock and the case for it.
- The name with the biggest gap to analyst targets
- The chart, insider buying and what is driving it
- A plain-English bottom line, no hype