IAGG vs. BNDW
IAGG (iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF) and BNDW (Vanguard Total World Bond ETF) are both Global Bonds funds - IAGG tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index while BNDW tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IAGG returned 1.13%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for BNDW. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IAGG charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for BNDW.
Performance
IAGG vs. BNDW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IAGG achieves a 1.02% return, which is significantly higher than BNDW's 0.54% return.
IAGG
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.70%
- YTD
- 1.02%
- 6M
- 0.94%
- 1Y
- 2.30%
- 3Y*
- 4.60%
- 5Y*
- 1.13%
- 10Y*
- 2.20%
BNDW
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 0.42%
- YTD
- 0.54%
- 6M
- 0.44%
- 1Y
- 3.25%
- 3Y*
- 4.07%
- 5Y*
- 0.25%
- 10Y*
- —
IAGG vs. BNDW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAGG iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF | 1.02% | 3.26% | 4.51% | 8.49% | -10.86% | -1.87% | 4.63% | 7.99% | 1.71% |
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF | 0.54% | 5.02% | 2.42% | 7.18% | -12.88% | -2.10% | 6.22% | 8.37% | 1.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between IAGG and BNDW is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2018 | 0.85 |
The correlation between IAGG and BNDW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IAGG vs. BNDW — Risk / Return Rank
IAGG
BNDW
IAGG vs. BNDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) and Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW). 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.
| IAGG | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.17 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.00 | 1.21 | -0.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.99 | 3.42 | -0.43 |
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
| IAGG | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.82 | 0.98 | -0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 | 0.05 | +0.20 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.55 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.62 | 0.38 | +0.24 |
Drawdowns
IAGG vs. BNDW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IAGG drawdown since its inception was -13.88%, smaller than the maximum BNDW drawdown of -17.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAGG and BNDW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IAGG | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.88% | -17.22% | +3.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.32% | -2.70% | +0.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.32% | -4.27% | +1.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.57% | -16.93% | +3.36% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.88% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.88% | -1.42% | +0.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.85% | -4.98% | +2.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.77% | 0.96% | -0.19% |
Volatility
IAGG vs. BNDW - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) is 1.18%, while Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) has a volatility of 1.31%. This indicates that IAGG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BNDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IAGG | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.18% | 1.31% | -0.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.40% | 2.63% | -0.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.84% | 3.36% | -0.52% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.51% | 5.21% | -0.70% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.05% | 4.90% | -0.85% |
IAGG vs. BNDW - Expense Ratio Comparison
IAGG has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than BNDW's 0.05% 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
IAGG vs. BNDW - Dividend Comparison
IAGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.66%, less than BNDW's 4.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF | 4.21% | 4.12% | 3.90% | 3.73% | 2.02% | 2.58% | 1.56% | 3.05% | 1.66% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IAGG iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF | 3.66% | 3.08% | 4.28% | 3.55% | 2.27% | 1.16% | 1.95% | 2.82% | 3.02% | 1.74% | 1.56% | 0.13% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IAGG and BNDW have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BNDW has higher volatility (1.31%) compared to IAGG (1.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAGG dropped -13.88% vs BNDW's -17.22%.
On 5-year performance, IAGG leads with 1.13% vs 0.25% for BNDW. On fees, BNDW is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IAGG has been the lower-risk option at 1.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IAGG has performed better with a 1.13% return vs 0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BNDW is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IAGG.
BNDW has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 3.66% for IAGG.
IAGG tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index, while BNDW tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IAGG and 0.05% for BNDW.
BNDW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.98 vs 0.81), 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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