GOVZ vs. BUCK

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

GOVZ (iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF) and BUCK (Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. GOVZ is passively managed, while BUCK is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, GOVZ returned -6.86%/yr vs 5.24%/yr for BUCK. Their 0.16 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GOVZ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BUCK.

Performance

GOVZ vs. BUCK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ) and Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GOVZ achieves a -6.61% return, which is significantly lower than BUCK's 2.60% return.

GOVZ

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: -6.59%
• 6M: -5.59%
• YTD: -6.61%
• 1Y: -7.04%
• 3Y*: -6.86%
• 5Y*: -14.55%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: -14.11%

BUCK

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.34%
• 6M: 1.97%
• YTD: 2.60%
• 1Y: 5.54%
• 3Y*: 5.24%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.10%

*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)
BUCK Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF	$3.71M	$3.67M	$3.97M
GOVZ iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF	$6.32M	$6.57M	$8.03M

GOVZ vs. BUCK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
GOVZ iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF	-6.61%	-1.81%	-16.24%	0.90%	4.18%
BUCK Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF	2.60%	4.13%	7.25%	4.63%	0.59%

Correlation

The correlation between GOVZ and BUCK is 0.18, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2022	0.16

Return for Risk

GOVZ vs. BUCK — Risk / Return Rank

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

GOVZ

GOVZ Risk / Return Rank: 5
GOVZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
GOVZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
GOVZ Omega Ratio Rank: 5
GOVZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
GOVZ Martin Ratio Rank: 5

BUCK

BUCK Risk / Return Rank: 93
BUCK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
BUCK Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BUCK Omega Ratio Rank: 92
BUCK Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BUCK Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

GOVZ vs. BUCK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ) and Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK). 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.

	GOVZ	BUCK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.46	2.26	-2.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.55	3.23	-3.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.47	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.48	6.65	-7.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.96	31.30	-32.26

GOVZ vs. BUCK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOVZ Sharpe Ratio is -0.46, which is lower than the BUCK Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOVZ and BUCK, 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

GOVZ vs. BUCK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOVZ drawdown since its inception was -59.65%, which is greater than BUCK's maximum drawdown of -5.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOVZ and BUCK.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOVZ	BUCK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.65%	-5.43%	-54.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.87%	-0.84%	-14.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.42%	-5.43%	-20.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-58.96%	0.00%	-58.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.35%	-0.47%	-39.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.33%	0.18%	+7.15%

Volatility

GOVZ vs. BUCK - Volatility Comparison

iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ) has a higher volatility of 4.53% compared to Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK) at 0.42%. This indicates that GOVZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUCK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOVZ	BUCK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.53%	0.42%	+4.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.06%	1.25%	+9.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.52%	2.47%	+13.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.80%	3.42%	+20.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.17%	3.42%	+19.75%

GOVZ vs. BUCK - Expense Ratio Comparison

GOVZ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than BUCK's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

GOVZ vs. BUCK - Dividend Comparison

GOVZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.53%, less than BUCK's 7.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BUCK Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF	7.19%	7.59%	8.84%	4.84%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%
GOVZ iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF	5.53%	5.00%	4.68%	3.84%	3.69%	1.76%	0.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOVZ and BUCK in my portfolio?

GOVZ and BUCK have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GOVZ or BUCK?

GOVZ has higher volatility (4.53%) compared to BUCK (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOVZ dropped -59.65% vs BUCK's -5.43%.

Which ETF is better, GOVZ or BUCK?

On 3-year performance, BUCK leads with 5.24% vs -6.86% for GOVZ. On fees, GOVZ is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, BUCK has been the lower-risk option at 0.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GOVZ or BUCK?

Over the 3-year period, BUCK has performed better with a 5.24% return vs -6.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GOVZ or BUCK?

GOVZ is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BUCK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GOVZ or BUCK?

BUCK has the higher dividend yield at 7.19%, compared with 5.53% for GOVZ.

What is the main difference between GOVZ and BUCK?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for GOVZ and 0.35% for BUCK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUCK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs -0.46), 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.