FLXR vs. AGG

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FLXR (TCW Flexible Income ETF) and AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLXR is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by TCW, while AGG is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. FLXR is actively managed, while AGG is passively managed. Over the past year, FLXR returned 5.45% vs 4.45% for AGG. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLXR charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for AGG.

Performance

FLXR vs. AGG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TCW Flexible Income ETF (FLXR) 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, FLXR achieves a 1.15% return, which is significantly higher than AGG's 0.39% return.

FLXR

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 1.15%
• 6M: 1.40%
• 1Y: 5.45%
• 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)

FLXR vs. AGG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FLXR TCW Flexible Income ETF	1.15%	8.37%	4.42%
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.39%	7.19%	1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between FLXR and AGG is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2024	0.79

The correlation between FLXR and AGG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FLXR vs. AGG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLXR

FLXR Risk / Return Rank: 79
FLXR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
FLXR Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
FLXR Omega Ratio Rank: 80
FLXR Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
FLXR Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

FLXR vs. AGG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TCW Flexible Income ETF (FLXR) 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.

	FLXR	AGG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	1.17	+1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	1.74	+1.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.21	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.74	1.62	+2.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.92	4.69	+11.23

FLXR vs. AGG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLXR Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is higher than the AGG Sharpe Ratio of 1.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLXR 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

FLXR vs. AGG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLXR drawdown since its inception was -1.94%, smaller than the maximum AGG drawdown of -18.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLXR and AGG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLXR	AGG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.94%	-18.43%	+16.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.46%	-2.76%	+1.30%
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	-0.42%	-2.01%	+1.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.36%	-2.71%	+2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	0.95%	-0.61%

Volatility

FLXR vs. AGG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TCW Flexible Income ETF (FLXR) is 0.80%, while iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) has a volatility of 1.11%. This indicates that FLXR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AGG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLXR	AGG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.80%	1.11%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.74%	2.84%	-1.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32%	3.82%	-1.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.81%	6.10%	-3.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.81%	5.41%	-2.60%

FLXR vs. AGG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLXR has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than AGG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLXR vs. AGG - Dividend Comparison

FLXR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.81%, 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%
FLXR TCW Flexible Income ETF	5.81%	5.66%	3.44%	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 FLXR and AGG in my portfolio?

FLXR and AGG have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLXR or AGG?

AGG has higher volatility (1.11%) compared to FLXR (0.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLXR dropped -1.94% vs AGG's -18.43%.

Which ETF is better, FLXR or AGG?

On 1-year performance, FLXR leads with 5.45% vs 4.45% for AGG. On fees, AGG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, FLXR has been the lower-risk option at 0.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLXR or AGG?

Over the 1-year period, FLXR has performed better with a 5.45% return vs 4.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLXR or AGG?

AGG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for FLXR.

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

FLXR has the higher dividend yield at 5.81%, compared with 3.98% for AGG.

What is the main difference between FLXR and AGG?

FLXR is categorized as Multisector Bonds, while AGG is Total Bond Market. They also come from different issuers: TCW and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for FLXR and 0.03% for AGG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLXR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 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.