IAGG vs. ISTB
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB).
IAGG and ISTB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IAGG is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Barclays Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index. It was launched on Nov 10, 2015. ISTB is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Barclays U.S. Government/Credit 1-5 Year Bond Index. It was launched on Oct 18, 2012. Both IAGG and ISTB are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: IAGG or ISTB.
Key characteristics
| IAGG | ISTB | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 4.01% | 3.78% |
| 1Y Return | 7.94% | 6.23% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 0.20% | 0.95% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 0.63% | 1.47% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 2.20 | 2.49 |
| Sortino Ratio | 3.37 | 3.85 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.40 | 1.49 |
| Calmar Ratio | 0.97 | 1.53 |
| Martin Ratio | 12.05 | 12.75 |
| Ulcer Index | 0.70% | 0.51% |
| Daily Std Dev | 3.83% | 2.62% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.88% | -9.34% |
| Current Drawdown | -1.30% | -1.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between IAGG and ISTB is 0.57, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Performance
IAGG vs. ISTB - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, IAGG achieves a 4.01% return, which is significantly higher than ISTB's 3.78% return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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IAGG vs. ISTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
IAGG has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTB's 0.06% 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%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
IAGG vs. ISTB - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). 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.
Dividends
IAGG vs. ISTB - Dividend Comparison
IAGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.42%, less than ISTB's 3.74% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAGG iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF | 3.42% | 3.55% | 2.28% | 1.16% | 1.95% | 2.82% | 3.02% | 1.74% | 1.56% | 0.13% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF | 3.74% | 2.97% | 2.01% | 1.69% | 2.20% | 2.75% | 2.57% | 2.07% | 1.90% | 1.58% | 1.07% | 0.60% |
Drawdowns
IAGG vs. ISTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IAGG drawdown since its inception was -13.88%, which is greater than ISTB's maximum drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAGG and ISTB. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
IAGG vs. ISTB - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) has a higher volatility of 1.01% compared to iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) at 0.67%. This indicates that IAGG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.