DBLTX vs. IUSB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DBLTX (DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund Class I) and IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) are both funds - DBLTX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by DoubleLine, while IUSB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index. Over the past 10 years, DBLTX returned 1.78%/yr vs 1.94%/yr for IUSB. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DBLTX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IUSB.

Performance

DBLTX vs. IUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund Class I (DBLTX) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DBLTX achieves a 0.01% return, which is significantly lower than IUSB's 0.43% return. Over the past 10 years, DBLTX has underperformed IUSB with an annualized return of 1.78%, while IUSB has yielded a comparatively higher 1.94% annualized return.

DBLTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.01%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 5.41%
• 3Y*: 4.54%
• 5Y*: 0.66%
• 10Y*: 1.78%

IUSB

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.31%
• 1Y: 5.54%
• 3Y*: 4.51%
• 5Y*: 0.44%
• 10Y*: 1.94%

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

DBLTX vs. IUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DBLTX DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund Class I	0.01%	8.05%	3.08%	5.34%	-12.56%	0.24%	4.13%	5.81%	1.76%	3.80%
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF	0.43%	7.38%	2.11%	6.23%	-13.04%	-1.33%	7.62%	9.13%	-0.27%	3.82%

Correlation

The correlation between DBLTX and IUSB is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2014	0.85

The correlation between DBLTX and IUSB shifts across timeframes, from 0.85 (all time) to 0.95 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DBLTX vs. IUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

DBLTX

DBLTX Risk / Return Rank: 22
DBLTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
DBLTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
DBLTX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
DBLTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
DBLTX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

IUSB

IUSB Risk / Return Rank: 43
IUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
IUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 41
IUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
IUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

DBLTX vs. IUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund Class I (DBLTX) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB). 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.

	DBLTX	IUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	1.54	-0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	2.30	-0.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.27	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.68	2.20	-0.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.13	6.68	-1.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DBLTX vs. IUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DBLTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is comparable to the IUSB Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DBLTX and IUSB, 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

	DBLTX	IUSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.38	1.54	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.08	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.39	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.46	+0.45

Drawdowns

DBLTX vs. IUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DBLTX drawdown since its inception was -16.49%, smaller than the maximum IUSB drawdown of -17.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBLTX and IUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	DBLTX	IUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.49%	-17.90%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.17%	-2.53%	-0.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.59%	-5.82%	-0.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.49%	-17.87%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.49%	-17.90%	+1.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.00%	-1.33%	-0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.38%	-3.59%	+1.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.03%	0.83%	+0.20%

Volatility

DBLTX vs. IUSB - Volatility Comparison

DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund Class I (DBLTX) has a higher volatility of 1.38% compared to iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) at 1.24%. This indicates that DBLTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DBLTX	IUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	1.24%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.78%	2.62%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.87%	3.62%	+0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.60%	5.79%	-0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.41%	5.04%	-0.63%

DBLTX vs. IUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

DBLTX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSB's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

DBLTX vs. IUSB - Dividend Comparison

DBLTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.89%, more than IUSB's 4.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBLTX DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund Class I	4.89%	4.86%	5.03%	4.35%	3.86%	3.12%	3.39%	3.66%	3.74%	3.65%	3.72%	4.11%
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF	4.23%	4.17%	4.04%	3.46%	2.53%	1.74%	2.68%	3.04%	2.98%	2.56%	2.60%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DBLTX and IUSB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, DBLTX and IUSB 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.

Which is riskier, DBLTX or IUSB?

DBLTX has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to IUSB (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBLTX dropped -16.49% vs IUSB's -17.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.38), 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.