iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) 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 SYSB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SYSB
SYSB charges 0.25% annually. There are 7 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | 117.00M | Dec 2025 | SYSB vs BNDP | |
| iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 278.83M | Nov 2016 | SYSB vs IMTB | |
| iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 42.27B | Jun 2014 | SYSB vs IUSB | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | 0.12% | 720.18M | Jun 2020 | SYSB vs EUSB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.17% | 452.48M | Apr 2014 | SYSB vs BYLD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SYSB
SYSB has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 37. There are 27 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 87.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 87 | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | SYSB vs ZHOG | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 87 | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | SYSB vs BNDS | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 66 | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | SYSB vs MBS | |
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 64 | — | Mar 2025 | SYSB vs CFIT | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 59 | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | SYSB vs SJCP |
Top Performing SYSB Alternatives (YTD)
SYSB is at 0.43% YTD. There are 35 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 5.95%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 5.95% | — | Mar 2025 | SYSB vs CFIT | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 4.80% | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | SYSB vs BNDS | |
| Monarch Ambassador Income ETF | 1.70% | 188.06M | Mar 2021 | SYSB vs MAMB | |
| Neos Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF | 1.50% | 178.17M | Aug 2022 | SYSB vs BNDI | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 1.46% | 452.48M | Apr 2014 | SYSB vs BYLD |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SYSB
SYSB has 3.92% 1-year volatility. There are 38 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 1.59%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 1.59% | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | SYSB vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 2.51% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | SYSB vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 2.77% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | SYSB vs MBS | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 3.09% | 34.52M | Feb 2024 | SYSB vs CAAA | |
| DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF | 3.26% | 719.37M | Mar 2022 | SYSB vs DBND |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SYSB
SYSB has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.99%. There are 39 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% | 46.23M | Sep 2023 | SYSB vs ZHOG | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | -1.77% | 1.18M | Dec 2021 | SYSB vs KDRN | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | -2.01% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | SYSB vs SJCP | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | -2.08% | 34.52M | Feb 2024 | SYSB vs CAAA | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | -2.20% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | SYSB vs MBS |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, IVV and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $838B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.70% | 95.28B | May 2020 | SYSB vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 3 | -26.49% | 48.04B | Jan 2024 | SYSB vs IBIT | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 69 | 9.76% | 837.93B | May 2000 | SYSB vs IVV | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 96 | 117.74% | 46.67B | Jul 2001 | SYSB vs SOXX | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 14 | 0.64% | 41.34B | Jul 2002 | SYSB vs TLT | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 77 | 8.84% | 41.89B | Jun 2014 | SYSB vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -8.55% | 32.53B | Apr 2006 | SYSB vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 24 | -2.92% | 64.29B | Jan 2005 | SYSB vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 72 | 21.64% | 81.35B | May 2000 | SYSB vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 69 | 12.10% | 32.95B | Mar 2008 | SYSB vs ACWI |
Often Compared With SYSB
Investors most often compare SYSB with FBND, JHCP, NCPB. These 20 comparison targets span 1 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare SYSB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SYSB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SYSB with funds that move differently
iShares Systematic Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SYSB.
Explore SYSB Diversifiers