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ESGB vs. BYLD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESGB vs. BYLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESGB (IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF) and BYLD (iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. ESGB is actively managed, while BYLD is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESGB returned 5.42%/yr vs 6.49%/yr for BYLD. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESGB charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for BYLD.

Performance

ESGB vs. BYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) and iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGB achieves a 0.50% return, which is significantly lower than BYLD's 1.23% return.

ESGB

1D
-0.31%
1M
0.31%
YTD
0.50%
6M
0.49%
1Y
5.33%
3Y*
5.42%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

BYLD

1D
-0.18%
1M
0.61%
YTD
1.23%
6M
1.35%
1Y
7.01%
3Y*
6.49%
5Y*
2.21%
10Y*
3.01%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESGB vs. BYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
ESGB
IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF		0.50%7.76%4.19%7.16%-14.44%0.38%
BYLD
iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF		1.23%8.41%4.17%8.30%-10.33%0.17%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGB and BYLD is 0.78, 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

0.78

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.75

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2021

0.76

The correlation between ESGB and BYLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESGB vs. BYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ESGB
BYLD

Financial Services

0.2%

-

Healthcare

0.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

99.2%

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

0.8%

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Financial Services

ESGB
0.2%
BYLD

-

Healthcare

ESGB
0.0%
BYLD

-

Basic Materials

ESGB

-

BYLD

-

Communication Services

ESGB

-

BYLD

-

Consumer Cyclical

ESGB

-

BYLD

-

Consumer Defensive

ESGB

-

BYLD

-

Energy

ESGB

-

BYLD
99.2%

Industrials

ESGB

-

BYLD

-

Real Estate

ESGB

-

BYLD
0.8%

Technology

ESGB

-

BYLD

-

Utilities

ESGB

-

BYLD

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF

iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF

Often compared with ESGB:
ESGB vs. GEQT.TOESGB vs. APCBESGB vs. ZST.TOESGB vs. IQSMESGB vs. AUMIESGB vs. MMCAESGB vs. CFIT
Often compared with BYLD:
BYLD vs. IGEBBYLD vs. FBNDBYLD vs. BONDBYLD vs. TOTLBYLD vs. BNDBYLD vs. USHYBYLD vs. AGG

Return for Risk

ESGB vs. BYLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ESGB
ESGB Risk / Return Rank: 4141
Overall Rank
ESGB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ESGB Sortino Ratio Rank: 4141
Sortino Ratio Rank
ESGB Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
ESGB Calmar Ratio Rank: 4242
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESGB Martin Ratio Rank: 4040
Martin Ratio Rank
BYLD
BYLD Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
BYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5353
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
BYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
BYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
BYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

ESGB vs. BYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) and iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD). 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.

ESGBBYLDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.43
1.85

-0.41

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.10
2.76

-0.66

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.35

-0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.06

2.60

-0.54

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.28

10.54

-4.26

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESGB vs. BYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGB Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the BYLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGB and BYLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

ESGBBYLDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.43

1.85

-0.41

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

0.43

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.56

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.15

0.57

-0.42

Drawdowns

ESGB vs. BYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGB drawdown since its inception was -18.96%, which is greater than BYLD's maximum drawdown of -14.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGB and BYLD.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESGBBYLDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-18.96%

-14.75%

-4.21%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.60%

-2.71%

+0.11%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-5.90%

-3.94%

-1.96%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-14.65%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-14.75%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.43%

-0.34%

-1.09%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.08%

-2.51%

-4.57%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.85%

0.67%

+0.18%

Volatility

ESGB vs. BYLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) is 1.28%, while iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) has a volatility of 1.42%. This indicates that ESGB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ESGBBYLDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.28%

1.42%

-0.14%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.75%

2.94%

-0.19%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.74%

3.82%

-0.08%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

5.04%

5.20%

-0.16%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.04%

5.43%

-0.39%

ESGB vs. BYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGB has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than BYLD's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGB vs. BYLD - Dividend Comparison

ESGB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.50%, more than BYLD's 5.36% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BYLD
iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF		5.36%5.32%5.31%4.45%3.39%2.18%3.41%3.67%4.22%3.22%3.14%3.37%
ESGB
IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF		5.50%5.46%5.40%4.82%3.17%0.95%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESGB and BYLD have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

BYLD has higher volatility (1.42%) compared to ESGB (1.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGB dropped -18.96% vs BYLD's -14.75%.

On 3-year performance, BYLD leads with 6.49% vs 5.42% for ESGB. On fees, BYLD is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, ESGB has been the lower-risk option at 1.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, BYLD has performed better with a 6.49% return vs 5.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

BYLD is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ESGB.

ESGB has the higher dividend yield at 5.50%, compared with 5.36% for BYLD.

They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ESGB and 0.17% for BYLD.

BYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.43), 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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