FLOT vs. TBUX
FLOT (iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF) and TBUX (T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. FLOT is passively managed, while TBUX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FLOT returned 5.66%/yr vs 5.89%/yr for TBUX. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLOT charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for TBUX.
Performance
FLOT vs. TBUX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FLOT achieves a 1.99% return, which is significantly higher than TBUX's 1.83% return.
FLOT
- 1D
- 0.02%
- 1M
- 0.45%
- YTD
- 1.99%
- 6M
- 2.23%
- 1Y
- 4.87%
- 3Y*
- 5.66%
- 5Y*
- 4.22%
- 10Y*
- 3.04%
TBUX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.41%
- YTD
- 1.83%
- 6M
- 2.14%
- 1Y
- 4.79%
- 3Y*
- 5.89%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FLOT vs. TBUX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FLOT iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF | 1.99% | 4.91% | 6.53% | 6.43% | 1.28% | -0.03% |
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF | 1.83% | 5.37% | 6.38% | 6.39% | -0.13% | -0.25% |
Correlation
The correlation between FLOT and TBUX is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2021 | 0.11 |
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Return for Risk
FLOT vs. TBUX — Risk / Return Rank
FLOT
TBUX
FLOT vs. TBUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) and T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX). 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.
| FLOT | TBUX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.63 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 3.23 | 3.12 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 11.32 | 48.17 | -36.84 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 105.27 | 182.82 | -77.55 |
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Drawdowns
FLOT vs. TBUX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FLOT drawdown since its inception was -13.54%, which is greater than TBUX's maximum drawdown of -1.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLOT and TBUX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FLOT | TBUX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.54% | -1.82% | -11.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.43% | -0.10% | -0.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.57% | -0.33% | -1.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -2.36% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.54% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.21% | -0.28% | +0.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.05% | 0.03% | +0.02% |
Volatility
FLOT vs. TBUX - Volatility Comparison
iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) and T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) have volatilities of 0.21% and 0.22%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FLOT | TBUX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.21% | 0.22% | -0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.63% | 0.46% | +0.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75% | 0.67% | +0.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.77% | 1.07% | +0.70% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.15% | 1.07% | +3.08% |
FLOT vs. TBUX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FLOT has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than TBUX's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
FLOT vs. TBUX - Dividend Comparison
FLOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, more than TBUX's 4.48% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FLOT iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF | 4.53% | 4.84% | 5.82% | 5.66% | 2.06% | 0.43% | 1.25% | 2.78% | 2.41% | 1.46% | 0.97% | 0.53% |
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF | 4.48% | 4.67% | 5.39% | 4.66% | 2.58% | 0.27% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FLOT and TBUX have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TBUX has higher volatility (0.22%) compared to FLOT (0.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLOT dropped -13.54% vs TBUX's -1.82%.
On 3-year performance, TBUX leads with 5.89% vs 5.66% for FLOT. On fees, FLOT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, TBUX has performed better with a 5.89% return vs 5.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FLOT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for TBUX.
FLOT has the higher dividend yield at 4.53%, compared with 4.48% for TBUX.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and T. Rowe Price. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for FLOT and 0.17% for TBUX.
TBUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.19 vs 6.56), 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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