The Best Intermediate Core Bond ETFs
The table below compares the performance and other essential indicators like dividend yield and expense ratio of Intermediate Core Bond ETFs.
Intermediate Core Bond ETFs and funds hold a diversified portfolio of investment-grade bonds — including U.S. Treasuries, corporate bonds, and securitized debt — with intermediate maturities, typically around five to ten years. They serve as a foundational fixed-income holding, balancing income generation with moderate interest-rate sensitivity, and are widely used as the bond core of a diversified portfolio.
- Number of ETFs
- 66
- Avg. Expense Ratio
- 0.33%
- Avg. Dividend Yield
- 3.99%
- Avg. 1 Year Return
- 3.47%
- Median Risk/Return Score
- 32 / 100
The Best Intermediate Core Bond ETFs
3 results
| Symbol | Full Name | Category | Inception | Expense Ratio | YTD Return | 10Y Return (Annualized) | Dividend Yield | Risk / Return Rank | Max. Drawdown | Sharpe Ratio | Sortino Ratio | Omega Ratio | Martin Ratio | Calmar Ratio | Ulcer Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF | Intermediate Core Bond | Nov 20, 2000 | 0.10% | 1.04% | 1.48% | 3.44% | 32 | ||||||||
| iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed In... | Intermediate Core Bond | Sep 1, 2015 | 0.44% | 0.10% | 1.81% | 4.17% | 31 | ||||||||
| iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETF | Intermediate Core Bond | Sep 1, 2015 | 0.55% | -0.15% | 1.46% | 4.43% | 21 |
Best Intermediate Core Bond ETFs by Risk/Return Score
The top Intermediate Core Bond ETFs by PortfoliosLab Risk/Return Score are USDX (96) and JUCY (92).
The score measures risk-adjusted performance over the past year, accounting for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGI Enhanced Core ETF | 96 | 364.51M | Feb 2024 | |
| Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF | 92 | 316.83M | Oct 2022 | |
| 3EDGE Dynamic Fixed Income ETF | 69 | 236.02M | Oct 2024 | |
| BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF | 69 | 9.77M | Jul 2023 | |
| Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF | 69 | 296.74M | Apr 2018 |
Best-Performing Intermediate Core Bond ETFs Over 5 Years
The top Intermediate Core Bond ETFs is PIFI (0.92%).
Across the lineup, Intermediate Core Bond ETFs show an average 1-year return of 3.47% and an average 5-year return of -0.15%, providing a clearer view of performance across different investment horizons.
| Symbol | Name | Return 5Y | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income ETF | 0.92% | 98.03M | Oct 2020 | |
| Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF | 0.52% | 296.74M | Apr 2018 | |
| Fidelity Investment Grade Securitized ETF | 0.34% | 4.65B | Mar 2021 | |
| VictoryShares Core Intermediate Bond ETF | 0.18% | 2.66B | Oct 2017 | |
| Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF | 0.09% | 33.20M | Sep 2019 |
Lowest-Cost Intermediate Core Bond ETFs
The top Intermediate Core Bond ETFs is BIV (0.03%).
With an average expense ratio of 0.33%, Intermediate Core Bond ETFs remain a low-cost option for investors seeking broad market exposure, sector allocations, and diversified portfolio building blocks.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 0.03% | 52.70B | Apr 2007 | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.03% | 1.02B | Dec 2018 | |
| iShares iBonds Dec 2032 Term Treasury ETF | 0.07% | 556.23M | Jul 2022 | |
| iShares iBonds Dec 2033 Term Treasury ETF | 0.07% | 478.05M | Jun 2023 | |
| iShares iBonds Dec 2044 Term Treasury ETF | 0.07% | 101.94M | Jun 2024 |
Highest-Yield Intermediate Core Bond ETFs
The top Intermediate Core Bond ETFs is JUCY (8.14%).
Across the lineup, Intermediate Core Bond ETFs show an average dividend yield of 3.99%, offering investors a steady stream of income through regular dividend payments, making them attractive for income-seeking portfolios.
| Symbol | Name | Dividend Yield | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF | 8.14% | 316.83M | Oct 2022 | |
| Simplify Aggregate Bond ETF | 7.56% | 577.34M | Feb 2022 | |
| SGI Enhanced Core ETF | 6.88% | 364.51M | Feb 2024 | |
| Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF | 6.06% | 33.20M | Sep 2019 | |
| Horizon Core Bond ETF | 5.90% | — | Jul 2025 |
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Top ETFs Comparisons
Compare the top ETFs symbols based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Risk vs. Return Scatterplot
The Risk vs. Return Scatterplot allows you to quickly compare funds, stocks, and ETFs in one view. It displays the yearly return of an instrument on one axis and the risk (volatility) on the other.
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