iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) belongs to the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with IUSB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to IUSB
IUSB charges 0.06% annually. There is 1 ETF in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with a lower expense ratio, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | 128.00M | Dec 2025 | IUSB vs BNDP | |
| iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 274.69M | Nov 2016 | IUSB vs IMTB | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | 0.12% | 709.92M | Jun 2020 | IUSB vs EUSB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.17% | 447.20M | Apr 2014 | IUSB vs BYLD | |
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF | 0.20% | 1.70B | Dec 2023 | IUSB vs VPLS |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to IUSB
IUSB has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 34. There are 24 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 89.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 89 | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | IUSB vs ZHOG | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 88 | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | IUSB vs BNDS | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 70 | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | IUSB vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 67 | 147.84M | Jun 2021 | IUSB vs MBS | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 54 | 35.20M | Feb 2024 | IUSB vs CAAA |
Top Performing IUSB Alternatives (YTD)
IUSB is at -0.29% YTD. There are 20 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 4.11%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 4.11% | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | IUSB vs BNDS | |
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 3.70% | — | Mar 2025 | IUSB vs CFIT | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 1.12% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | IUSB vs SJCP | |
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 0.84% | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | IUSB vs ZHOG | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | 0.78% | 1.18M | Dec 2021 | IUSB vs KDRN |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to IUSB
IUSB has 3.55% 1-year volatility. There are 17 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.62%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 1.62% | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | IUSB vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 2.49% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | IUSB vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 2.77% | 147.84M | Jun 2021 | IUSB vs MBS | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 3.08% | 35.20M | Feb 2024 | IUSB vs CAAA | |
| DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF | 3.24% | 735.65M | Mar 2022 | IUSB vs DBND |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to IUSB
IUSB has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.53%. There are 7 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -1.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | -1.31% | 46.32M | Sep 2023 | IUSB vs ZHOG | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | -1.77% | 1.18M | Dec 2021 | IUSB vs KDRN | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | -2.01% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | IUSB vs SJCP | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | -2.08% | 35.20M | Feb 2024 | IUSB vs CAAA | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | -2.20% | 147.84M | Jun 2021 | IUSB vs MBS |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $869B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 2.11% | 99.95B | May 2020 | IUSB vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.22% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | IUSB vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 67.84% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | IUSB vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 67 | 10.13% | 869.20B | May 2000 | IUSB vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 91 | 13.39% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | IUSB vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 9 | -3.49% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | IUSB vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -18.72% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | IUSB vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 30 | -6.16% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | IUSB vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 79 | 18.79% | 80.11B | May 2000 | IUSB vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 11.28% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | IUSB vs ACWI |
Often Compared With IUSB
Investors most often compare IUSB with BND, AGG, FBND. These 20 comparison targets span 13 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare IUSB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare IUSB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair IUSB with funds that move differently
iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to IUSB.
Explore IUSB Diversifiers