FTCB vs. IBIT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FTCB (First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTCB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by First Trust, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. FTCB is actively managed, while IBIT is passively managed. Over the past year, FTCB returned 2.58% vs -44.50% for IBIT. Their 0.02 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FTCB charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

FTCB vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF (FTCB) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTCB achieves a -0.60% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -28.22% return.

FTCB

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: -1.25%
• 6M: -0.79%
• YTD: -0.60%
• 1Y: 2.58%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.76%

IBIT

• 1D: -2.89%
• 1M: 2.21%
• 6M: -24.95%
• YTD: -28.22%
• 1Y: -44.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.01%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FTCB First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF	$14.44M	$17.52M	$13.98M
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	$1.30B	$1.34B	$1.68B

FTCB vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTCB First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF	-0.60%	8.12%	3.40%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-28.22%	-6.41%	89.87%

Correlation

The correlation between FTCB and IBIT is 0.11, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	0.02

Return for Risk

FTCB vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FTCB

FTCB Risk / Return Rank: 32
FTCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
FTCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
FTCB Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FTCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
FTCB Martin Ratio Rank: 31

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 1
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 1

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FTCB vs. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF (FTCB) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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.

	FTCB	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.82	-1.04	+1.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	-1.57	+2.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	0.83	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.09	-0.87	+1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.83	-1.34	+4.16

FTCB vs. IBIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTCB Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is higher than the IBIT Sharpe Ratio of -1.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTCB and IBIT, 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

FTCB vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTCB drawdown since its inception was -4.99%, smaller than the maximum IBIT drawdown of -53.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCB and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTCB	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-53.30%	+48.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.04%	-53.30%	+50.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.48%	-50.01%	+47.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.28%	-18.24%	+16.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.17%	34.66%	-33.49%

Volatility

FTCB vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF (FTCB) is 1.31%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 9.21%. This indicates that FTCB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTCB	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.31%	9.21%	-7.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.23%	33.74%	-30.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.08%	44.46%	-40.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.16%	49.60%	-44.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.16%	49.60%	-44.44%

FTCB vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTCB has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTCB vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

FTCB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.45%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
FTCB First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF	5.45%	4.99%	5.19%	0.35%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTCB and IBIT in my portfolio?

FTCB and IBIT have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTCB or IBIT?

IBIT has higher volatility (9.21%) compared to FTCB (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTCB dropped -4.99% vs IBIT's -53.30%.

Which ETF is better, FTCB or IBIT?

On 1-year performance, FTCB leads with 2.58% vs -44.50% for IBIT. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FTCB has been the lower-risk option at 1.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTCB or IBIT?

Over the 1-year period, FTCB has performed better with a 2.58% return vs -44.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTCB or IBIT?

IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for FTCB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTCB or IBIT?

FTCB has the higher dividend yield at 5.45%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between FTCB and IBIT?

FTCB is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for FTCB and 0.25% for IBIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.82 vs -1.04), 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.