BRHY vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BRHY (iShares High Yield Active ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BRHY is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by iShares, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. BRHY is actively managed, while TLT is passively managed. Over the past year, BRHY returned 7.21% vs 4.54% for TLT. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BRHY charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.

Performance

BRHY vs. TLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares High Yield Active ETF (BRHY) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRHY achieves a 1.74% return, which is significantly lower than TLT's 2.15% return.

BRHY

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.74%
• 6M: 1.92%
• 1Y: 7.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TLT

• 1D: 1.37%
• 1M: 3.59%
• YTD: 2.15%
• 6M: 1.14%
• 1Y: 4.54%
• 3Y*: -1.45%
• 5Y*: -6.14%
• 10Y*: -1.61%

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

BRHY vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BRHY iShares High Yield Active ETF	1.74%	9.74%	5.16%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	2.15%	4.25%	-4.60%

Correlation

The correlation between BRHY and TLT is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 2024	0.36

Return for Risk

BRHY vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRHY

BRHY Risk / Return Rank: 74
BRHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
BRHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BRHY Omega Ratio Rank: 82
BRHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
BRHY Martin Ratio Rank: 71

TLT

TLT Risk / Return Rank: 16
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 14
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

BRHY vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares High Yield Active ETF (BRHY) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.

	BRHY	TLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	0.48	+1.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	0.76	+2.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.08	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	0.60	+2.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.01	1.43	+10.59

BRHY vs. TLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRHY Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is higher than the TLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRHY and TLT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BRHY vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRHY drawdown since its inception was -4.42%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRHY and TLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRHY	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.42%	-48.35%	+43.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-7.58%	+4.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-43.70%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-38.99%	+38.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.39%	-13.87%	+13.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.60%	3.19%	-2.59%

Volatility

BRHY vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares High Yield Active ETF (BRHY) is 1.09%, while iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has a volatility of 2.49%. This indicates that BRHY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRHY	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.09%	2.49%	-1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.53%	6.74%	-4.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.24%	9.57%	-6.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.01%	15.83%	-11.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.01%	14.89%	-10.88%

BRHY vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRHY has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRHY vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison

BRHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.84%, more than TLT's 4.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRHY iShares High Yield Active ETF	7.84%	7.97%	4.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	4.48%	4.43%	4.30%	3.38%	2.67%	1.50%	1.50%	2.27%	2.63%	2.43%	2.60%	2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRHY and TLT in my portfolio?

BRHY and TLT have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRHY or TLT?

TLT has higher volatility (2.49%) compared to BRHY (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRHY dropped -4.42% vs TLT's -48.35%.

Which ETF is better, BRHY or TLT?

On 1-year performance, BRHY leads with 7.21% vs 4.54% for TLT. On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, BRHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BRHY or TLT?

Over the 1-year period, BRHY has performed better with a 7.21% return vs 4.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BRHY or TLT?

TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for BRHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BRHY or TLT?

BRHY has the higher dividend yield at 7.84%, compared with 4.48% for TLT.

What is the main difference between BRHY and TLT?

BRHY is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while TLT is Government Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for BRHY and 0.15% for TLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BRHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 0.48), 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.