BLV vs. ILTB
BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) and ILTB (iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF) are both Long-Term Bond funds - BLV tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index while ILTB tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal 10+ Year Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BLV returned 0.99%/yr vs 1.32%/yr for ILTB. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BLV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for ILTB.
Performance
BLV vs. ILTB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BLV achieves a 0.28% return, which is significantly lower than ILTB's 0.30% return. Over the past 10 years, BLV has underperformed ILTB with an annualized return of 0.99%, while ILTB has yielded a comparatively higher 1.32% annualized return.
BLV
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 1.09%
- YTD
- 0.28%
- 6M
- -0.86%
- 1Y
- 6.59%
- 3Y*
- 2.02%
- 5Y*
- -3.33%
- 10Y*
- 0.99%
ILTB
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 1.04%
- YTD
- 0.30%
- 6M
- -0.71%
- 1Y
- 7.17%
- 3Y*
- 2.78%
- 5Y*
- -2.88%
- 10Y*
- 1.32%
BLV vs. ILTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF | 0.28% | 6.44% | -3.65% | 7.35% | -26.95% | -2.89% | 16.13% | 18.99% | -4.17% | 10.74% |
ILTB iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF | 0.30% | 7.22% | -3.00% | 8.04% | -26.62% | -2.67% | 16.10% | 19.61% | -5.10% | 11.24% |
Correlation
The correlation between BLV and ILTB is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2009 | 0.88 |
The correlation between BLV and ILTB shifts across timeframes, from 0.88 (all time) to 0.99 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BLV vs. ILTB — Risk / Return Rank
BLV
ILTB
BLV vs. ILTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) and iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF (ILTB). 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.
| BLV | ILTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.16 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.15 | 1.33 | -0.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.92 | 3.38 | -0.46 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BLV | ILTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.81 | 0.91 | -0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.26 | -0.23 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.08 | 0.11 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.37 | 0.35 | +0.02 |
Drawdowns
BLV vs. ILTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BLV drawdown since its inception was -38.29%, roughly equal to the maximum ILTB drawdown of -36.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLV and ILTB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BLV | ILTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.29% | -36.88% | -1.41% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.73% | -5.42% | -0.31% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.16% | -14.60% | -0.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.27% | -35.22% | -1.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.29% | -36.88% | -1.41% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -24.14% | -21.28% | -2.86% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.51% | -9.92% | +0.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.26% | 2.13% | +0.13% |
Volatility
BLV vs. ILTB - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) and iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF (ILTB) have volatilities of 2.50% and 2.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BLV | ILTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.50% | 2.50% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.62% | 5.54% | +0.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.15% | 7.88% | +0.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.97% | 12.64% | +0.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.98% | 11.56% | +0.42% |
BLV vs. ILTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
BLV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than ILTB's 0.06% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BLV vs. ILTB - Dividend Comparison
BLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.80%, less than ILTB's 4.96% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF | 4.80% | 4.67% | 5.09% | 4.06% | 4.17% | 3.37% | 6.12% | 3.57% | 4.07% | 3.63% | 4.16% | 4.37% |
ILTB iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF | 4.96% | 4.83% | 4.91% | 4.38% | 4.31% | 3.04% | 3.32% | 3.45% | 4.13% | 3.97% | 3.99% | 4.20% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, BLV and ILTB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
ILTB has higher volatility (2.50%) compared to BLV (2.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLV dropped -38.29% vs ILTB's -36.88%.
On 10-year performance, ILTB leads with 1.32% vs 0.99% for BLV. On fees, BLV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, ILTB has performed better with a 1.32% return vs 0.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BLV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for ILTB.
ILTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.96%, compared with 4.80% for BLV.
BLV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while ILTB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal 10+ Year Index (USD). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BLV and 0.06% for ILTB.
ILTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.91 vs 0.81), 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.
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