GBF vs. BIV
GBF (iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF) and BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds - GBF tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index while BIV tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GBF returned 1.51%/yr vs 1.93%/yr for BIV. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GBF charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BIV.
Performance
GBF vs. BIV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GBF achieves a 0.35% return, which is significantly higher than BIV's -0.11% return. Over the past 10 years, GBF has underperformed BIV with an annualized return of 1.51%, while BIV has yielded a comparatively higher 1.93% annualized return.
GBF
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- YTD
- 0.35%
- 6M
- 0.18%
- 1Y
- 4.02%
- 3Y*
- 3.64%
- 5Y*
- -0.19%
- 10Y*
- 1.51%
BIV
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 0.04%
- YTD
- -0.11%
- 6M
- -0.10%
- 1Y
- 4.33%
- 3Y*
- 4.34%
- 5Y*
- 0.28%
- 10Y*
- 1.93%
GBF vs. BIV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBF iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF | 0.35% | 6.41% | 0.99% | 5.79% | -13.85% | -2.30% | 8.76% | 9.47% | -0.52% | 4.10% |
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | -0.11% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.07% | -13.21% | -2.40% | 9.67% | 10.34% | -0.19% | 3.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between GBF and BIV is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007 | 0.83 |
The correlation between GBF and BIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.83 (all time) to 0.98 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GBF vs. BIV — Risk / Return Rank
GBF
BIV
GBF vs. BIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (GBF) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). 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.
| GBF | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.19 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.48 | 1.37 | +0.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.37 | 4.13 | +0.24 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GBF | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.09 | 1.08 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.03 | 0.04 | -0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.29 | 0.35 | -0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.58 | 0.65 | -0.07 |
Drawdowns
GBF vs. BIV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GBF drawdown since its inception was -19.67%, roughly equal to the maximum BIV drawdown of -18.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBF and BIV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GBF | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.67% | -18.95% | -0.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.73% | -3.18% | +0.45% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.78% | -6.07% | +0.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.45% | -18.74% | +0.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.67% | -18.95% | -0.72% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.71% | -1.91% | -2.80% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.67% | -3.39% | -0.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 1.05% | -0.13% |
Volatility
GBF vs. BIV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (GBF) is 1.21%, while Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) has a volatility of 1.36%. This indicates that GBF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GBF | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.21% | 1.36% | -0.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.64% | 2.90% | -0.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.75% | 4.06% | -0.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.93% | 6.40% | -0.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.28% | 5.50% | -0.22% |
GBF vs. BIV - Expense Ratio Comparison
GBF has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than BIV's 0.03% 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
GBF vs. BIV - Dividend Comparison
GBF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.78%, less than BIV's 4.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 4.21% | 4.01% | 3.79% | 3.09% | 2.41% | 3.42% | 2.95% | 2.75% | 2.88% | 2.69% | 3.01% | 3.02% |
GBF iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF | 3.78% | 3.81% | 3.94% | 3.03% | 2.13% | 1.22% | 1.64% | 2.64% | 2.59% | 2.31% | 2.09% | 2.04% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, GBF and BIV 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.
BIV has higher volatility (1.36%) compared to GBF (1.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBF dropped -19.67% vs BIV's -18.95%.
On 10-year performance, BIV leads with 1.93% vs 1.51% for GBF. On fees, BIV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, GBF has been the lower-risk option at 1.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, BIV has performed better with a 1.93% return vs 1.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BIV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GBF.
BIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 3.78% for GBF.
GBF tracks Bloomberg U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index, while BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GBF and 0.03% for BIV.
GBF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs 1.08), 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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