AAUS vs. IBIF

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

AAUS (Alpha Architect US Equity ETF) and IBIF (iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while IBIF is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2029 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. AAUS is actively managed, while IBIF is passively managed. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AAUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBIF.

Performance

AAUS vs. IBIF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) and iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF (IBIF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAUS achieves a 9.11% return, which is significantly higher than IBIF's 1.52% return.

AAUS

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 0.35%
• 6M: 8.07%
• YTD: 9.11%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIF

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: -0.11%
• 6M: 1.40%
• YTD: 1.52%
• 1Y: 3.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAUS vs. IBIF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	9.11%	10.11%
IBIF iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF	1.52%	1.26%

Correlation

The correlation between AAUS and IBIF is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2025	0.05

Return for Risk

AAUS vs. IBIF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAUS

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

IBIF

IBIF Risk / Return Rank: 66
IBIF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
IBIF Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IBIF Omega Ratio Rank: 62
IBIF Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
IBIF Martin Ratio Rank: 66

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAUS vs. IBIF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect US Equity ETF (AAUS) and iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF (IBIF). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AAUS	IBIF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.55	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.44	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.30	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.35	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	9.26	—

Drawdowns

AAUS vs. IBIF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAUS drawdown since its inception was -9.13%, which is greater than IBIF's maximum drawdown of -2.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAUS and IBIF.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAUS	IBIF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.13%	-2.50%	-6.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	-0.49%	-0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.39%	-0.55%	-0.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.34%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AAUS	IBIF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.76%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	1.46%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.67%	2.07%	+10.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.67%	3.50%	+9.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.67%	3.50%	+9.17%

AAUS vs. IBIF - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIF's 0.10% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AAUS vs. IBIF - Dividend Comparison

AAUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, less than IBIF's 4.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AAUS Alpha Architect US Equity ETF	0.34%	0.37%	0.00%	0.00%
IBIF iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF	4.94%	4.51%	4.05%	0.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAUS and IBIF in my portfolio?

AAUS and IBIF have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AAUS or IBIF?

On fees, IBIF is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AAUS or IBIF?

IBIF is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AAUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AAUS or IBIF?

IBIF has the higher dividend yield at 4.94%, compared with 0.34% for AAUS.

What is the main difference between AAUS and IBIF?

AAUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IBIF is Inflation-Protected Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AAUS and 0.10% for IBIF.