IBIF vs. TLT
IBIF (iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBIF is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2029 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBIF returned 3.63% vs 4.08% for TLT. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBIF charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.
Performance
IBIF vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBIF achieves a 1.13% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's 0.64% return.
IBIF
- 1D
- -0.14%
- 1M
- -0.31%
- YTD
- 1.13%
- 6M
- 1.18%
- 1Y
- 3.63%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
TLT
- 1D
- -0.76%
- 1M
- 2.06%
- YTD
- 0.64%
- 6M
- 0.41%
- 1Y
- 4.08%
- 3Y*
- -1.93%
- 5Y*
- -6.59%
- 10Y*
- -1.75%
IBIF vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IBIF iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF | 1.13% | 7.27% | 3.11% | 3.95% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 0.64% | 4.25% | -8.05% | 7.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between IBIF and TLT is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2023 | 0.63 |
Over the past year, the correlation between IBIF and TLT has dropped to 0.42 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
IBIF vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank
IBIF
TLT
IBIF vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF (IBIF) 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.
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.
| IBIF | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.08 | +0.27 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.84 | 0.54 | +3.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.95 | 1.29 | +10.66 |
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Drawdowns
IBIF vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBIF drawdown since its inception was -2.50%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBIF and TLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBIF | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.50% | -48.35% | +45.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.95% | -7.58% | +6.63% |
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 | -0.88% | -39.89% | +39.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.55% | -13.87% | +13.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.30% | 3.17% | -2.87% |
Volatility
IBIF vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF (IBIF) is 0.75%, while iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has a volatility of 2.21%. This indicates that IBIF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IBIF | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.75% | 2.21% | -1.46% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.46% | 6.63% | -5.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.07% | 9.50% | -7.43% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.54% | 15.82% | -12.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.54% | 14.91% | -11.37% |
IBIF vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
IBIF has a 0.10% 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
IBIF vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
IBIF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.77%, less than TLT's 4.55% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBIF iShares iBonds Oct 2029 Term TIPS ETF | 3.77% | 4.51% | 4.05% | 0.96% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 4.55% | 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
IBIF and TLT have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TLT has higher volatility (2.21%) compared to IBIF (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBIF dropped -2.50% vs TLT's -48.35%.
On 1-year performance, TLT leads with 4.08% vs 3.63% for IBIF. On fees, IBIF is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IBIF has been the lower-risk option at 0.75%. 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 4.08% return vs 3.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBIF is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for TLT.
TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.55%, compared with 3.77% for IBIF.
IBIF is categorized as Inflation-Protected Bonds, while TLT is Government Bonds. IBIF tracks ICE 2029 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index, while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for IBIF and 0.15% for TLT.
IBIF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 0.43), 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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