DEFR vs. IMTB
DEFR (Aptus Deferred Income ETF) and IMTB (iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. DEFR is actively managed, while IMTB is passively managed. Over the past year, DEFR returned 4.53% vs 5.32% for IMTB. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DEFR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IMTB.
Performance
DEFR vs. IMTB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DEFR achieves a -0.15% return, which is significantly lower than IMTB's 0.78% return.
DEFR
- 1D
- 0.41%
- 1M
- 0.83%
- YTD
- -0.15%
- 6M
- -0.30%
- 1Y
- 4.53%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IMTB
- 1D
- 0.51%
- 1M
- 1.14%
- YTD
- 0.78%
- 6M
- 0.74%
- 1Y
- 5.32%
- 3Y*
- 4.98%
- 5Y*
- 0.65%
- 10Y*
- —
DEFR vs. IMTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
DEFR Aptus Deferred Income ETF | -0.15% | 6.80% |
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.78% | 6.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between DEFR and IMTB is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2025 | 0.71 |
The correlation between DEFR and IMTB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DEFR vs. IMTB — Risk / Return Rank
DEFR
IMTB
DEFR vs. IMTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aptus Deferred Income ETF (DEFR) 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.
| DEFR | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.71 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.23 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.17 | 1.87 | -0.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.96 | 5.42 | -2.47 |
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Drawdowns
DEFR vs. IMTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DEFR drawdown since its inception was -3.90%, smaller than the maximum IMTB drawdown of -18.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEFR and IMTB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DEFR | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -3.90% | -18.15% | +14.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.90% | -2.86% | -1.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -6.80% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -18.11% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.45% | -0.95% | -1.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.02% | -4.12% | +3.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.54% | 0.98% | +0.56% |
Volatility
DEFR vs. IMTB - Volatility Comparison
Aptus Deferred Income ETF (DEFR) has a higher volatility of 1.61% compared to iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) at 1.45%. This indicates that DEFR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IMTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DEFR | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.61% | 1.45% | +0.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.50% | 3.19% | +0.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.17% | 4.13% | +1.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.34% | 6.30% | -0.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.34% | 5.18% | +0.16% |
DEFR vs. IMTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
DEFR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than IMTB's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
DEFR vs. IMTB - Dividend Comparison
DEFR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IMTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEFR Aptus Deferred Income ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 4.49% | 4.40% | 4.42% | 4.13% | 2.90% | 2.49% | 2.63% | 2.91% | 3.04% | 2.75% | 0.40% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DEFR and IMTB have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DEFR has higher volatility (1.61%) compared to IMTB (1.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEFR dropped -3.90% vs IMTB's -18.15%.
On 1-year performance, IMTB leads with 5.32% vs 4.53% for DEFR. On fees, IMTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IMTB has been the lower-risk option at 1.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, IMTB has performed better with a 5.32% return vs 4.53%. 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 0.79% for DEFR.
IMTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.49%, compared with 0.00% for DEFR.
They also come from different issuers: Aptus and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for DEFR and 0.06% for IMTB.
IMTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 0.88), 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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