EVTR vs. AGG

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

EVTR (Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF) and AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EVTR is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Eaton Vance, while AGG is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. EVTR is actively managed, while AGG is passively managed. Over the past year, EVTR returned 5.23% vs 4.45% for AGG. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EVTR charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for AGG.

Performance

EVTR vs. AGG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR) and iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EVTR achieves a 0.51% return, which is significantly higher than AGG's 0.39% return.

EVTR

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 0.51%
• 6M: 0.68%
• 1Y: 5.23%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AGG

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 0.39%
• 6M: 0.47%
• 1Y: 4.45%
• 3Y*: 3.94%
• 5Y*: 0.06%
• 10Y*: 1.53%

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

EVTR vs. AGG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EVTR Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF	0.51%	8.10%	4.03%
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.39%	7.19%	2.19%

Correlation

The correlation between EVTR and AGG is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2024	0.95

The correlation between EVTR and AGG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EVTR vs. AGG — Risk / Return Rank

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

EVTR

EVTR Risk / Return Rank: 40
EVTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
EVTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
EVTR Omega Ratio Rank: 39
EVTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
EVTR Martin Ratio Rank: 37

AGG

AGG Risk / Return Rank: 33
AGG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
AGG Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
AGG Omega Ratio Rank: 31
AGG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
AGG Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

EVTR vs. AGG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR) and iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG). 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.

	EVTR	AGG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.17	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	1.74	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.21	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	1.62	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.55	4.69	+0.86

EVTR vs. AGG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EVTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the AGG Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EVTR and AGG, 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

EVTR vs. AGG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVTR drawdown since its inception was -4.08%, smaller than the maximum AGG drawdown of -18.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVTR and AGG.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVTR	AGG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.08%	-18.43%	+14.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.86%	-2.76%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-6.11%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.82%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.22%	-2.01%	+0.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	-2.71%	+1.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.95%	-0.01%

Volatility

EVTR vs. AGG - Volatility Comparison

Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR) has a higher volatility of 1.24% compared to iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) at 1.11%. This indicates that EVTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AGG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EVTR	AGG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.24%	1.11%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.93%	2.84%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.71%	3.82%	-0.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.32%	6.10%	-1.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.32%	5.41%	-1.09%

EVTR vs. AGG - Expense Ratio Comparison

EVTR has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than AGG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

EVTR vs. AGG - Dividend Comparison

EVTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, more than AGG's 3.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	3.98%	3.89%	3.74%	3.13%	2.39%	1.77%	2.14%	2.70%	2.72%	2.32%	2.39%	2.45%
EVTR Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF	4.67%	4.51%	4.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EVTR and AGG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, EVTR and AGG 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, EVTR or AGG?

EVTR has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to AGG (1.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EVTR dropped -4.08% vs AGG's -18.43%.

Which ETF is better, EVTR or AGG?

On 1-year performance, EVTR leads with 5.23% vs 4.45% for AGG. On fees, AGG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, AGG has been the lower-risk option at 1.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EVTR or AGG?

Over the 1-year period, EVTR has performed better with a 5.23% return vs 4.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EVTR or AGG?

AGG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for EVTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EVTR or AGG?

EVTR has the higher dividend yield at 4.67%, compared with 3.98% for AGG.

What is the main difference between EVTR and AGG?

EVTR is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while AGG is Total Bond Market. They also come from different issuers: Eaton Vance and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for EVTR and 0.03% for AGG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EVTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 1.17), 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.