IBGL vs. TLT
IBGL (iShares iBonds Dec 2055 Term Treasury ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both Government Bonds funds from iShares - IBGL tracks the ICE 2055 Maturity US Treasury Index while TLT tracks the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBGL returned 4.56% vs 4.93% for TLT. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IBGL charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.
Performance
IBGL vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBGL achieves a -0.23% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -0.27% return.
IBGL
- 1D
- -0.35%
- 1M
- 0.74%
- YTD
- -0.23%
- 6M
- -1.85%
- 1Y
- 4.56%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
TLT
- 1D
- -0.40%
- 1M
- 0.81%
- YTD
- -0.27%
- 6M
- -2.02%
- 1Y
- 4.93%
- 3Y*
- -1.80%
- 5Y*
- -6.31%
- 10Y*
- -1.66%
IBGL vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
IBGL iShares iBonds Dec 2055 Term Treasury ETF | -0.23% | 0.99% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | -0.27% | 1.41% |
Correlation
The correlation between IBGL and TLT is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025 | 0.99 |
The correlation between IBGL and TLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IBGL vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank
IBGL
TLT
IBGL vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2055 Term Treasury ETF (IBGL) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.
| IBGL | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.09 | 1.09 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.63 | 0.65 | -0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.58 | 1.63 | -0.05 |
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
| IBGL | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.49 | 0.51 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | -0.40 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | -0.11 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.06 | 0.26 | -0.19 |
Drawdowns
IBGL vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBGL drawdown since its inception was -9.37%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBGL and TLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBGL | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.37% | -48.35% | +38.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.23% | -7.58% | +0.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -19.18% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -43.70% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -48.35% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.38% | -40.44% | +36.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.03% | -13.82% | +9.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.89% | 3.04% | -0.15% |
Volatility
IBGL vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
iShares iBonds Dec 2055 Term Treasury ETF (IBGL) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) have volatilities of 2.67% and 2.76%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IBGL | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.67% | 2.76% | -0.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.12% | 6.50% | -0.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.28% | 9.77% | -0.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.53% | 15.87% | -5.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.53% | 14.91% | -4.38% |
IBGL vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
IBGL has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than TLT's 0.15% 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
IBGL vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
IBGL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.70%, more than TLT's 4.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBGL iShares iBonds Dec 2055 Term Treasury ETF | 4.70% | 3.52% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 4.59% | 4.43% | 4.30% | 3.38% | 2.67% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 2.27% | 2.63% | 2.43% | 2.60% | 2.61% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, IBGL and TLT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
TLT has higher volatility (2.76%) compared to IBGL (2.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBGL dropped -9.37% vs TLT's -48.35%.
On 1-year performance, TLT leads with 4.93% vs 4.56% for IBGL. On fees, IBGL is cheaper at 0.07% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, TLT has performed better with a 4.93% return vs 4.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBGL is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for TLT.
IBGL has the higher dividend yield at 4.70%, compared with 4.59% for TLT.
IBGL tracks ICE 2055 Maturity US Treasury Index, while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IBGL and 0.15% for TLT.
TLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.51 vs 0.49), 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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