FIBR vs. ISTB

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

FIBR (iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF) and ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FIBR is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Index, while ISTB is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FIBR returned 2.24%/yr vs 2.26%/yr for ISTB. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FIBR charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for ISTB.

Performance

FIBR vs. ISTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF (FIBR) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIBR achieves a -0.19% return, which is significantly lower than ISTB's 0.30% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FIBR having a 2.24% annualized return and ISTB not far ahead at 2.26%.

FIBR

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -0.69%
• YTD: -0.19%
• 6M: 0.05%
• 1Y: 5.16%
• 3Y*: 6.55%
• 5Y*: 1.49%
• 10Y*: 2.24%

ISTB

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: 0.30%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 3.93%
• 3Y*: 4.86%
• 5Y*: 1.82%
• 10Y*: 2.26%

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

FIBR vs. ISTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FIBR iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF	-0.19%	8.32%	6.04%	8.22%	-13.57%	-1.00%	3.31%	10.03%	-0.93%	3.89%
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF	0.30%	6.36%	4.37%	5.56%	-6.08%	-0.71%	4.75%	5.61%	1.02%	1.72%

Correlation

The correlation between FIBR and ISTB is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2015	0.64

Over the past year, FIBR and ISTB have become more correlated (0.85) than their long-term average of 0.64, meaning their price movements have been converging.

FIBR vs. ISTB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FIBR	ISTB
Energy	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.6%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	99.4%

Return for Risk

FIBR vs. ISTB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FIBR

FIBR Risk / Return Rank: 38
FIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
FIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
FIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 39
FIBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FIBR Martin Ratio Rank: 36

ISTB

ISTB Risk / Return Rank: 71
ISTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ISTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ISTB Omega Ratio Rank: 75
ISTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
ISTB Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

FIBR vs. ISTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF (FIBR) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). 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.

	FIBR	ISTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	2.22	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	3.40	-1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.43	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.73	3.14	-1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.24	11.89	-6.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FIBR vs. ISTB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is lower than the ISTB Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIBR and ISTB, 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

	FIBR	ISTB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	2.22	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.65	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.90	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.83	-0.34

Drawdowns

FIBR vs. ISTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIBR drawdown since its inception was -18.47%, which is greater than ISTB's maximum drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIBR and ISTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FIBR	ISTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.47%	-9.34%	-9.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.99%	-1.26%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.08%	-1.36%	-1.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.47%	-9.34%	-9.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.47%	-9.34%	-9.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.04%	-0.61%	-1.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.27%	-1.22%	-2.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	0.33%	+0.66%

Volatility

FIBR vs. ISTB - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF (FIBR) has a higher volatility of 1.38% compared to iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) at 0.58%. This indicates that FIBR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FIBR	ISTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	0.58%	+0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.13%	1.30%	+1.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.82%	1.79%	+2.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.63%	2.79%	+2.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.95%	2.51%	+2.44%

FIBR vs. ISTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIBR has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTB's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FIBR vs. ISTB - Dividend Comparison

FIBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, more than ISTB's 4.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIBR iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF	4.63%	4.78%	5.04%	4.44%	3.27%	1.92%	2.57%	3.27%	3.61%	2.74%	2.92%	2.26%
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF	4.26%	4.12%	3.83%	2.97%	2.01%	1.69%	2.20%	2.75%	2.57%	2.06%	1.90%	1.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FIBR and ISTB in my portfolio?

FIBR and ISTB have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FIBR or ISTB?

FIBR has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to ISTB (0.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIBR dropped -18.47% vs ISTB's -9.34%.

Which ETF is better, FIBR or ISTB?

On 10-year performance, ISTB leads with 2.26% vs 2.24% for FIBR. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, ISTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FIBR or ISTB?

Over the 10-year period, ISTB has performed better with a 2.26% return vs 2.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FIBR or ISTB?

ISTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for FIBR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FIBR or ISTB?

FIBR has the higher dividend yield at 4.63%, compared with 4.26% for ISTB.

What is the main difference between FIBR and ISTB?

FIBR is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while ISTB is Short-Term Bond. FIBR tracks Bloomberg U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Index, while ISTB tracks BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). Their fees differ too: 0.25% for FIBR and 0.06% for ISTB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.36), 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.