IAGG vs. BWZ
IAGG (iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF) and BWZ (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term International Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAGG is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index, while BWZ is a International Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Treasury (1-3 Y) Customized. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IAGG returned 2.17%/yr vs -0.49%/yr for BWZ. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IAGG charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BWZ.
Performance
IAGG vs. BWZ - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IAGG achieves a 0.92% return, which is significantly higher than BWZ's -0.62% return. Over the past 10 years, IAGG has outperformed BWZ with an annualized return of 2.17%, while BWZ has yielded a comparatively lower -0.49% annualized return.
IAGG
- 1D
- -0.20%
- 1M
- 0.66%
- YTD
- 0.92%
- 6M
- 0.72%
- 1Y
- 2.30%
- 3Y*
- 4.59%
- 5Y*
- 1.11%
- 10Y*
- 2.17%
BWZ
- 1D
- -0.52%
- 1M
- -0.85%
- YTD
- -0.62%
- 6M
- -0.00%
- 1Y
- 0.04%
- 3Y*
- 2.58%
- 5Y*
- -2.01%
- 10Y*
- -0.49%
IAGG vs. BWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAGG iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.92% | 3.26% | 4.51% | 8.49% | -10.86% | -1.87% | 4.63% | 7.99% | 3.38% | 2.09% |
BWZ SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term International Treasury Bond ETF | -0.62% | 10.47% | -5.31% | 2.97% | -10.56% | -6.85% | 6.47% | 0.99% | -3.36% | 10.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between IAGG and BWZ is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2015 | 0.24 |
Over the past year, IAGG and BWZ have become more correlated (0.46) than their long-term average of 0.24, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
IAGG vs. BWZ — Risk / Return Rank
IAGG
BWZ
IAGG vs. BWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) and SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term International Treasury Bond ETF (BWZ). 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 | BWZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.81 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.01 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.00 | 0.01 | +0.99 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.99 | 0.02 | +2.97 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IAGG | BWZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.81 | 0.01 | +0.81 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 | -0.27 | +0.51 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | -0.07 | +0.61 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.62 | -0.03 | +0.64 |
Drawdowns
IAGG vs. BWZ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IAGG drawdown since its inception was -13.88%, smaller than the maximum BWZ drawdown of -34.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAGG and BWZ.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IAGG | BWZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.88% | -34.23% | +20.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.32% | -5.15% | +2.83% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.32% | -8.60% | +6.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.57% | -23.58% | +10.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.88% | -24.90% | +11.02% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.98% | -22.39% | +21.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.85% | -16.10% | +13.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.77% | 2.25% | -1.48% |
Volatility
IAGG vs. BWZ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) is 1.18%, while SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term International Treasury Bond ETF (BWZ) has a volatility of 1.83%. This indicates that IAGG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IAGG | BWZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.18% | 1.83% | -0.65% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.40% | 4.97% | -2.57% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.84% | 6.93% | -4.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.51% | 7.60% | -3.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.05% | 6.95% | -2.90% |
IAGG vs. BWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison
IAGG has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than BWZ's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
IAGG vs. BWZ - Dividend Comparison
IAGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.66%, more than BWZ's 2.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BWZ SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term International Treasury Bond ETF | 2.10% | 2.05% | 2.47% | 1.63% | 0.44% | 0.60% | 0.13% | 0.43% | 1.10% | 0.40% | 0.13% | 0.06% |
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 BWZ have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BWZ has higher volatility (1.83%) compared to IAGG (1.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAGG dropped -13.88% vs BWZ's -34.23%.
On 10-year performance, IAGG leads with 2.17% vs -0.49% for BWZ. On fees, IAGG is cheaper at 0.07% 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 10-year period, IAGG has performed better with a 2.17% return vs -0.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAGG is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BWZ.
IAGG has the higher dividend yield at 3.66%, compared with 2.10% for BWZ.
IAGG is categorized as Global Bonds, while BWZ is International Government Bonds. IAGG tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index, while BWZ tracks Bloomberg Global Treasury (1-3 Y) Customized. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IAGG and 0.35% for BWZ.
IAGG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs 0.01), 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.
Find the right allocation for IAGG and BWZ
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer