IBIC vs. IBIF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBIC (iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF) and IBIF (iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds from iShares - IBIC tracks the ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index while IBIF tracks the ICE 2029 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBIC returned 4.54% vs 4.97% for IBIF. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.10% expense ratio.

Performance

IBIC vs. IBIF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) and iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF (IBIF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBIC achieves a 2.37% return, which is significantly higher than IBIF's 1.91% return.

IBIC

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 2.37%
• 6M: 2.51%
• 1Y: 4.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIF

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 1.91%
• 6M: 1.78%
• 1Y: 4.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IBIC vs. IBIF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	2.37%	4.96%	5.25%	2.47%
IBIF iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF	1.91%	7.27%	3.11%	3.95%

Correlation

The correlation between IBIC and IBIF is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2023	0.67

Over the past year, the correlation between IBIC and IBIF has dropped to 0.29 - well below their long-term average of 0.67, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

IBIC vs. IBIF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IBIC

IBIC Risk / Return Rank: 98
IBIC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
IBIC Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Omega Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Martin Ratio Rank: 98

IBIF

IBIF Risk / Return Rank: 84
IBIF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
IBIF Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
IBIF Omega Ratio Rank: 82
IBIF Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
IBIF Martin Ratio Rank: 85

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IBIC vs. IBIF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) and iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF (IBIF). 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.

	IBIC	IBIF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.05	2.46	+2.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	9.12	4.17	+4.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.24	1.49	+0.75
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	17.27	5.25	+12.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	67.45	17.34	+50.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBIC vs. IBIF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBIC Sharpe Ratio is 5.05, which is higher than the IBIF Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBIC and IBIF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IBIC	IBIF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.05	2.46	+2.59
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.49	1.72	+1.77

Drawdowns

IBIC vs. IBIF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBIC drawdown since its inception was -0.90%, smaller than the maximum IBIF drawdown of -2.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBIC and IBIF.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBIC	IBIF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.90%	-2.50%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.26%	-0.95%	+0.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-0.11%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.10%	-0.55%	+0.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.07%	0.29%	-0.22%

Volatility

IBIC vs. IBIF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) is 0.33%, while iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF (IBIF) has a volatility of 0.46%. This indicates that IBIC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBIC	IBIF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.33%	0.46%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.67%	1.33%	-0.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90%	2.03%	-1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.58%	3.55%	-1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.58%	3.55%	-1.97%

IBIC vs. IBIF - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IBIC and IBIF have an expense ratio of 0.10%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IBIC vs. IBIF - Dividend Comparison

IBIC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.59%, less than IBIF's 3.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	3.59%	4.43%	4.65%	0.83%
IBIF iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF	3.74%	4.51%	4.05%	0.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBIC and IBIF in my portfolio?

IBIC and IBIF have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBIC or IBIF?

IBIF has higher volatility (0.46%) compared to IBIC (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBIC dropped -0.90% vs IBIF's -2.50%.

Which ETF is better, IBIC or IBIF?

On 1-year performance, IBIF leads with 4.97% vs 4.54% for IBIC. Both ETFs have the same 0.10% expense ratio. On volatility, IBIC has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBIC or IBIF?

Over the 1-year period, IBIF has performed better with a 4.97% return vs 4.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBIC or IBIF?

IBIC and IBIF have the same expense ratio: 0.10% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBIC or IBIF?

IBIF has the higher dividend yield at 3.74%, compared with 3.59% for IBIC.

What is the main difference between IBIC and IBIF?

IBIC tracks ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index, while IBIF tracks ICE 2029 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.05 vs 2.46), 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.