MFLX vs VCRM
First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF compared with Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond E on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
MFLX
First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
VCRM
Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond E
TTM yield · Monthly
Quick take
- MFLX yields more today: 4.46% vs 3.85% (forward).
- Both pay every month.
- Over the last year VCRM delivered the higher total return: +1.0% vs -0.7% (price change plus payouts).
- VCRM is cheaper to own: 0.12% vs 0.49% expense ratio.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | MFLX | VCRM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $16.15 | $73.15 |
| TTM yield | 4.11% | 3.85% |
| Forward yield | 4.46% | 3.85% |
| Annual payout per share | $0.721 | $2.817 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 24, 2026 (est.) | Oct 31, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.49% | 0.12% |
| 1-year payout growth | -12.1% | — |
| 5-year payout CAGR | -2.6% | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | 0 years | — |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 98/100 | 96/100 |
| 1-year total return | -0.7% | +1.0% |
| 1-year price return | -4.6% | -2.8% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 19.9M | 2.2B |
| Years paying | 10.0 | 1.8 |
| Sector / category | Muni National Long | Muni National Long |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| MFLX | VCRM | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 619.2 | 136.7 |
| Income per year | $446 | $385 |
| Income per month (avg) | $37 | $32 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model MFLX · Model VCRM
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFLX Nov 23, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 | $0.0601 | Est. |
| MFLX Dec 23, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | $0.0601 | Est. |
| MFLX Jan 22, 2027 | Jan 30, 2027 | $0.0601 | Est. |
| VCRM Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.2348 | Est. |
| VCRM Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $0.2347 | Est. |
| VCRM Dec 30, 2026 | Jan 13, 2027 | $0.2347 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
MFLXVCRM
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, MFLX or VCRM?
MFLX currently has the higher trailing yield: MFLX yields 4.11% and VCRM yields 3.85%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do MFLX and VCRM pay?
MFLX pays every month and VCRM pays every month. MFLX's next ex-date is Oct 24, 2026 and VCRM's is Oct 31, 2026.
Is MFLX or VCRM better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. MFLX and VCRM differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.