FBND Is Great For Income, But There Are Better Options

Core Insights - The Fidelity Total Bond Fund ETF (FBND) offers a 4.62% dividend yield, making it a popular choice for individual investors seeking steady monthly income with low credit risk [1] - As of September 2025, FBND has achieved a year-to-date return of 6.57% and a one-year return of 3.63%, outperforming the Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index [2] - The fund maintains at least 80% of its assets in investment-grade bonds, with the remaining 20% in lower-grade debt, providing a diversified investment strategy [3] Performance Comparison - FBND has delivered an annual return of approximately 2.88%, compared to 2.36% from the Bloomberg US Aggregate Index, reinforcing its position as a core bond holding [4] - The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) is a significant competitor, tracking the entire U.S. investment-grade bond market with a lower expense ratio of 0.03% compared to FBND's 0.36% [5][6] - The PIMCO Active Bond ETF offers a higher annual payout of $4.75 per share compared to FBND's $2.14, indicating potential for higher income [6][7] Income Potential - Lower fees in competing ETFs can enhance long-term returns, which is crucial in a market where performance spreads are often narrow [7] - The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF provides a 3.83% dividend yield and a $2.84 annual dividend return per share, which is $0.60 more than FBND, making it an attractive alternative for income-driven investors [6][7]