BBBIX vs. NEAR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BBBIX (BBH Limited Duration Fund) and NEAR (iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both funds - BBBIX is a Ultrashort Bond fund managed by BBH, while NEAR is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by iShares. Over the past 10 years, BBBIX returned 3.46%/yr vs 2.85%/yr for NEAR. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BBBIX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for NEAR.

Performance

BBBIX vs. NEAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BBH Limited Duration Fund (BBBIX) and iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBBIX achieves a 1.45% return, which is significantly higher than NEAR's 0.73% return. Over the past 10 years, BBBIX has outperformed NEAR with an annualized return of 3.46%, while NEAR has yielded a comparatively lower 2.85% annualized return.

BBBIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.87%
• 1Y: 4.80%
• 3Y*: 6.31%
• 5Y*: 3.98%
• 10Y*: 3.46%

NEAR

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 1.19%
• 1Y: 4.27%
• 3Y*: 5.64%
• 5Y*: 3.86%
• 10Y*: 2.85%

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

BBBIX vs. NEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BBBIX BBH Limited Duration Fund	1.45%	5.62%	6.79%	7.63%	-1.42%	1.06%	2.85%	4.39%	2.07%	2.51%
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF	0.73%	5.90%	5.09%	7.42%	0.41%	0.32%	1.39%	3.55%	1.71%	1.41%

Correlation

The correlation between BBBIX and NEAR is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2013	0.30

Over the past year, BBBIX and NEAR have become more correlated (0.59) than their long-term average of 0.30, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

BBBIX vs. NEAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBBIX

BBBIX Risk / Return Rank: 97
BBBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
BBBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
BBBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
BBBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
BBBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

NEAR

NEAR Risk / Return Rank: 87
NEAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
NEAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
NEAR Omega Ratio Rank: 93
NEAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
NEAR Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

BBBIX vs. NEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BBH Limited Duration Fund (BBBIX) and iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR). 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.

	BBBIX	NEAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	3.15	-0.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	8.23	5.02	+3.21
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.37	1.65	+0.72
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.41	3.78	+4.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	35.12	17.38	+17.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBBIX vs. NEAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBBIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is comparable to the NEAR Sharpe Ratio of 3.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBBIX and NEAR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BBBIX	NEAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.07	3.15	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.58	2.90	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	2.35	1.15	+1.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.48	1.09	+0.39

Drawdowns

BBBIX vs. NEAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBBIX drawdown since its inception was -6.60%, smaller than the maximum NEAR drawdown of -9.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBBIX and NEAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBBIX	NEAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.60%	-9.61%	+3.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.57%	-1.13%	+0.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.57%	-1.16%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-3.16%	-1.32%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.60%	-9.61%	+3.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.09%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.46%	-0.16%	-0.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.14%	0.25%	-0.11%

Volatility

BBBIX vs. NEAR - Volatility Comparison

BBH Limited Duration Fund (BBBIX) has a higher volatility of 0.43% compared to iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) at 0.37%. This indicates that BBBIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NEAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBBIX	NEAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.43%	0.37%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.09%	1.00%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.57%	1.36%	+0.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.55%	1.34%	+0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.47%	2.50%	-1.03%

BBBIX vs. NEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBBIX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than NEAR's 0.25% 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

BBBIX vs. NEAR - Dividend Comparison

BBBIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.60%, more than NEAR's 4.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBBIX BBH Limited Duration Fund	4.60%	4.68%	4.88%	4.31%	1.84%	1.35%	2.09%	3.01%	2.66%	2.09%	2.23%	2.08%
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF	4.44%	4.54%	5.00%	4.59%	1.78%	0.76%	1.53%	2.69%	2.25%	1.52%	1.07%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBBIX and NEAR in my portfolio?

BBBIX and NEAR have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBBIX or NEAR?

BBBIX has higher volatility (0.43%) compared to NEAR (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBBIX dropped -6.60% vs NEAR's -9.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 3.07), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.