BOND vs. IMTB
BOND (PIMCO Active Bond ETF) and IMTB (iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. BOND is actively managed, while IMTB is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BOND returned 0.48%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for IMTB. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BOND charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IMTB.
Performance
BOND vs. IMTB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BOND achieves a 0.82% return, which is significantly higher than IMTB's 0.27% return.
BOND
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- 0.93%
- YTD
- 0.82%
- 6M
- 0.96%
- 1Y
- 5.76%
- 3Y*
- 5.13%
- 5Y*
- 0.48%
- 10Y*
- 2.17%
IMTB
- 1D
- 0.21%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 0.27%
- 6M
- 0.58%
- 1Y
- 5.32%
- 3Y*
- 4.80%
- 5Y*
- 0.55%
- 10Y*
- —
BOND vs. IMTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BOND PIMCO Active Bond ETF | 0.82% | 8.39% | 2.77% | 6.48% | -14.57% | -0.77% | 7.80% | 8.54% | 0.08% | 4.76% |
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.27% | 8.88% | 1.94% | 6.10% | -12.75% | -1.41% | 6.25% | 8.62% | -0.45% | 4.88% |
Correlation
The correlation between BOND and IMTB is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2016 | 0.78 |
The correlation between BOND and IMTB shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.93 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BOND vs. IMTB — Risk / Return Rank
BOND
IMTB
BOND vs. IMTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Active Bond ETF (BOND) and iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB). 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.
| BOND | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.23 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.92 | 1.87 | +0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.79 | 5.43 | +0.35 |
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Drawdowns
BOND vs. IMTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BOND drawdown since its inception was -19.71%, which is greater than IMTB's maximum drawdown of -18.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BOND and IMTB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BOND | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.71% | -18.15% | -1.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.01% | -2.86% | -0.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.12% | -6.80% | +0.68% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.71% | -18.11% | -1.60% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.71% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.24% | -1.45% | +0.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.50% | -4.12% | +0.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.00% | 0.98% | +0.02% |
Volatility
BOND vs. IMTB - Volatility Comparison
PIMCO Active Bond ETF (BOND) and iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) have volatilities of 1.35% and 1.38%, 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
| BOND | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.35% | 1.38% | -0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.05% | 3.15% | -0.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.98% | 4.10% | -0.12% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.78% | 6.30% | -0.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.10% | 5.18% | -0.08% |
BOND vs. IMTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
BOND has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is higher than IMTB's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
BOND vs. IMTB - Dividend Comparison
BOND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.17%, more than IMTB's 4.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BOND PIMCO Active Bond ETF | 5.17% | 5.11% | 5.02% | 4.06% | 3.44% | 2.58% | 2.66% | 3.38% | 3.18% | 2.87% | 2.85% | 4.14% |
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 4.51% | 4.40% | 4.42% | 4.13% | 2.90% | 2.49% | 2.63% | 2.91% | 3.04% | 2.75% | 0.40% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.92, BOND and IMTB 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.
IMTB has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to BOND (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BOND dropped -19.71% vs IMTB's -18.15%.
On 5-year performance, IMTB leads with 0.55% vs 0.48% for BOND. On fees, IMTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IMTB has performed better with a 0.55% return vs 0.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IMTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.54% for BOND.
BOND has the higher dividend yield at 5.17%, compared with 4.51% for IMTB.
They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for BOND and 0.06% for IMTB.
BOND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 vs 1.30), 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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