BBHY vs. ISTB

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

BBHY (JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BBHY is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA US High Yield Index, while ISTB is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BBHY returned 4.03%/yr vs 1.82%/yr for ISTB. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BBHY charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for ISTB.

Performance

BBHY vs. ISTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (BBHY) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBHY achieves a 1.29% return, which is significantly higher than ISTB's 0.30% return.

BBHY

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 1.29%
• 6M: 1.70%
• 1Y: 6.84%
• 3Y*: 8.52%
• 5Y*: 4.03%
• 10Y*: —

ISTB

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: 0.30%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 3.93%
• 3Y*: 4.86%
• 5Y*: 1.82%
• 10Y*: 2.26%

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

BBHY vs. ISTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BBHY JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	1.29%	8.51%	7.81%	11.98%	-10.37%	3.88%	5.36%	14.35%	-2.50%	6.57%
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF	0.30%	6.36%	4.37%	5.56%	-6.08%	-0.71%	4.75%	5.61%	1.02%	1.72%

Correlation

The correlation between BBHY and ISTB is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2016	0.37

Over the past year, BBHY and ISTB have become more correlated (0.61) than their long-term average of 0.37, meaning their price movements have been converging.

BBHY vs. ISTB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBHY	ISTB
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	-
Industrials	8.4%	-
Communication Services	7.9%	-
Healthcare	5.4%	-
Energy	5.2%	-
Financial Services	4.1%	-
Technology	4.0%	-
Real Estate	3.9%	0.6%
Basic Materials	3.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	-
Utilities	2.0%	99.4%

Return for Risk

BBHY vs. ISTB — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBHY

BBHY Risk / Return Rank: 64
BBHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
BBHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
BBHY Omega Ratio Rank: 63
BBHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
BBHY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

ISTB

ISTB Risk / Return Rank: 71
ISTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ISTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ISTB Omega Ratio Rank: 75
ISTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
ISTB Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

BBHY vs. ISTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (BBHY) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). 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.

	BBHY	ISTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	2.22	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	3.40	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.43	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	3.14	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.98	11.89	+1.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBHY vs. ISTB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBHY Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the ISTB Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBHY and ISTB, 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

	BBHY	ISTB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	2.22	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.65	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.90	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.83	-0.20

Drawdowns

BBHY vs. ISTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBHY drawdown since its inception was -24.98%, which is greater than ISTB's maximum drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBHY and ISTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBHY	ISTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.98%	-9.34%	-15.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.37%	-1.26%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.00%	-1.36%	-3.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.32%	-9.34%	-5.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-9.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-0.61%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-1.22%	-1.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.53%	0.33%	+0.20%

Volatility

BBHY vs. ISTB - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (BBHY) has a higher volatility of 1.16% compared to iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) at 0.58%. This indicates that BBHY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBHY	ISTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	0.58%	+0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.89%	1.30%	+1.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.65%	1.79%	+1.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.26%	2.79%	+4.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.53%	2.51%	+5.02%

BBHY vs. ISTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBHY has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTB's 0.06% 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

BBHY vs. ISTB - Dividend Comparison

BBHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.97%, more than ISTB's 4.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBHY JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	6.97%	7.24%	7.18%	6.49%	5.92%	4.06%	4.73%	4.99%	5.02%	4.81%	1.42%	0.00%
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF	4.26%	4.12%	3.83%	2.97%	2.01%	1.69%	2.20%	2.75%	2.57%	2.06%	1.90%	1.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBHY and ISTB in my portfolio?

BBHY and ISTB have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBHY or ISTB?

BBHY has higher volatility (1.16%) compared to ISTB (0.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBHY dropped -24.98% vs ISTB's -9.34%.

Which ETF is better, BBHY or ISTB?

On 5-year performance, BBHY leads with 4.03% vs 1.82% for ISTB. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, ISTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBHY or ISTB?

Over the 5-year period, BBHY has performed better with a 4.03% return vs 1.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBHY or ISTB?

ISTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for BBHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BBHY or ISTB?

BBHY has the higher dividend yield at 6.97%, compared with 4.26% for ISTB.

What is the main difference between BBHY and ISTB?

BBHY is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while ISTB is Short-Term Bond. BBHY tracks ICE BofA US High Yield Index, while ISTB tracks BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for BBHY and 0.06% for ISTB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.89), 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.