BTTRX vs. TLT

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about American Century Zero Coupon 2025 Fund (BTTRX) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT).

BTTRX is managed by American Century. It was launched on Feb 14, 1996. TLT is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. It was launched on Jul 22, 2002.

Performance

BTTRX vs. TLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Zero Coupon 2025 Fund (BTTRX) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BTTRX vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BTTRX American Century Zero Coupon 2025 Fund	0.00%	2.79%	9.54%	7.82%	-7.63%	-2.65%	17.73%	11.43%	5.77%	1.22%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	0.17%	4.25%	-8.05%	2.77%	-31.23%	-4.60%	18.15%	14.12%	-1.61%	9.18%

Returns By Period

BTTRX

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TLT

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -4.23%
• YTD: 0.17%
• 6M: -0.87%
• 1Y: -0.49%
• 3Y*: -2.78%
• 5Y*: -5.85%
• 10Y*: -1.38%

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

BTTRX vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

BTTRX has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.

BTTRX

American Century Zero Coupon 2025 Fund

TLT

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

Return for Risk

BTTRX vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLT

TLT Risk / Return Rank: 12
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 10
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

BTTRX vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Zero Coupon 2025 Fund (BTTRX) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BTTRX	TLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	-0.04	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.09	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.26	—

Correlation

The correlation between BTTRX and TLT is 0.82, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

BTTRX vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison

BTTRX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while TLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BTTRX American Century Zero Coupon 2025 Fund	0.00%	0.00%	4.96%	4.00%	3.47%	3.27%	7.69%	3.90%	5.25%	1.05%	3.42%	2.85%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	4.49%	4.43%	4.30%	3.38%	2.67%	1.50%	1.50%	2.27%	2.63%	2.43%	2.60%	2.61%

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	BTTRX	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-48.35%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.23%	—
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	—	-40.17%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-13.62%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.38%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BTTRX	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.71%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	6.61%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	11.44%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	15.90%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	14.93%	—