IBCA vs. IBIT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IBCA (iShares iBonds Dec 2035 Term Corporate ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBCA is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the ICE 2035 Maturity US Corporate Index, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBCA returned 2.05% vs -44.50% for IBIT. Their 0.14 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. IBCA charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

IBCA vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds Dec 2035 Term Corporate ETF (IBCA) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBCA achieves a -0.93% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -28.22% return.

IBCA

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -1.72%
• 6M: -1.05%
• YTD: -0.93%
• 1Y: 2.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.53%

IBIT

• 1D: -2.89%
• 1M: 2.21%
• 6M: -24.95%
• YTD: -28.22%
• 1Y: -44.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.01%

*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)
IBCA iShares iBonds Dec 2035 Term Corporate ETF	$2.52M	$2.28M	$2.03M
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	$1.30B	$1.34B	$1.68B

IBCA vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IBCA iShares iBonds Dec 2035 Term Corporate ETF	-0.93%	7.16%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-28.22%	-0.98%

Correlation

The correlation between IBCA and IBIT is 0.16, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2025	0.14

Return for Risk

IBCA vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBCA

IBCA Risk / Return Rank: 27
IBCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
IBCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
IBCA Omega Ratio Rank: 24
IBCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
IBCA Martin Ratio Rank: 30

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 1
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

IBCA vs. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2035 Term Corporate ETF (IBCA) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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.

	IBCA	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.63	-1.04	+1.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.93	-1.57	+2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	0.83	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	-0.87	+1.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.59	-1.34	+3.93

IBCA vs. IBIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBCA Sharpe Ratio is 0.63, which is higher than the IBIT Sharpe Ratio of -1.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBCA and IBIT, 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

IBCA vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBCA drawdown since its inception was -3.48%, smaller than the maximum IBIT drawdown of -53.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBCA and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBCA	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.48%	-53.30%	+49.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.19%	-53.30%	+50.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.53%	-50.01%	+47.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.90%	-18.24%	+17.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.18%	34.66%	-33.48%

Volatility

IBCA vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares iBonds Dec 2035 Term Corporate ETF (IBCA) is 1.30%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 9.21%. This indicates that IBCA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBCA	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.30%	9.21%	-7.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.81%	33.74%	-29.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.90%	44.46%	-39.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.65%	49.60%	-43.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.65%	49.60%	-43.95%

IBCA vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBCA has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IBCA vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

IBCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.76%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
IBCA iShares iBonds Dec 2035 Term Corporate ETF	4.44%	3.19%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBCA and IBIT in my portfolio?

IBCA and IBIT have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBCA or IBIT?

IBIT has higher volatility (9.21%) compared to IBCA (1.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBCA dropped -3.48% vs IBIT's -53.30%.

Which ETF is better, IBCA or IBIT?

On 1-year performance, IBCA leads with 2.05% vs -44.50% for IBIT. On fees, IBCA is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IBCA has been the lower-risk option at 1.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBCA or IBIT?

Over the 1-year period, IBCA has performed better with a 2.05% return vs -44.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBCA or IBIT?

IBCA is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IBIT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBCA or IBIT?

IBCA has the higher dividend yield at 4.44%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between IBCA and IBIT?

IBCA is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. IBCA tracks ICE 2035 Maturity US Corporate Index, while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for IBCA and 0.25% for IBIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBCA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 vs -1.04), 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.