IBTL vs. SPTS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBTL (iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Treasury ETF) and SPTS (SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - IBTL tracks the ICE 2031 Maturity US Treasury Index while SPTS tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBTL returned 2.83%/yr vs 4.18%/yr for SPTS. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBTL charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPTS.

Performance

IBTL vs. SPTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Treasury ETF (IBTL) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBTL achieves a -0.47% return, which is significantly lower than SPTS's 0.45% return.

IBTL

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -0.21%
• YTD: -0.47%
• 6M: -0.69%
• 1Y: 3.77%
• 3Y*: 2.83%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPTS

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 3.45%
• 3Y*: 4.18%
• 5Y*: 1.81%
• 10Y*: 1.67%

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

IBTL vs. SPTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IBTL iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Treasury ETF	-0.47%	7.85%	0.36%	3.60%	-15.60%	-1.37%
SPTS SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF	0.45%	5.05%	4.20%	4.27%	-3.86%	-0.73%

Correlation

The correlation between IBTL and SPTS is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2021	0.80

The correlation between IBTL and SPTS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IBTL vs. SPTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBTL

IBTL Risk / Return Rank: 28
IBTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IBTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IBTL Omega Ratio Rank: 27
IBTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
IBTL Martin Ratio Rank: 28

SPTS

SPTS Risk / Return Rank: 84
SPTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
SPTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SPTS Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SPTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
SPTS Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

IBTL vs. SPTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Treasury ETF (IBTL) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). 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.

	IBTL	SPTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	2.63	-1.58
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	4.47	-2.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.55	-0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.34	4.13	-2.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.90	16.52	-12.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBTL vs. SPTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBTL Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the SPTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBTL and SPTS, 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

	IBTL	SPTS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.05	2.63	-1.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.98	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.21	0.49	-0.70

Drawdowns

IBTL vs. SPTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBTL drawdown since its inception was -20.93%, which is greater than SPTS's maximum drawdown of -5.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBTL and SPTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBTL	SPTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.93%	-5.83%	-15.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.83%	-0.84%	-1.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.38%	-0.96%	-6.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.71%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.25%	-0.28%	-6.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.47%	-1.72%	-9.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	0.21%	+0.76%

Volatility

IBTL vs. SPTS - Volatility Comparison

iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Treasury ETF (IBTL) has a higher volatility of 1.08% compared to SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS) at 0.34%. This indicates that IBTL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBTL	SPTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.08%	0.34%	+0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.39%	0.86%	+1.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.62%	1.32%	+2.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.46%	1.98%	+5.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.46%	1.72%	+5.74%

IBTL vs. SPTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBTL has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTS's 0.03% 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%.

Dividends

IBTL vs. SPTS - Dividend Comparison

IBTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.97%, more than SPTS's 3.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBTL iShares iBonds Dec 2031 Term Treasury ETF	3.97%	3.93%	4.07%	3.04%	2.36%	0.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPTS SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF	3.91%	3.99%	4.25%	3.61%	1.27%	0.19%	0.70%	2.21%	2.04%	1.20%	0.95%	0.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBTL and SPTS in my portfolio?

IBTL and SPTS have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBTL or SPTS?

IBTL has higher volatility (1.08%) compared to SPTS (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBTL dropped -20.93% vs SPTS's -5.83%.

Which ETF is better, IBTL or SPTS?

On 3-year performance, SPTS leads with 4.18% vs 2.83% for IBTL. On fees, SPTS is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPTS has been the lower-risk option at 0.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBTL or SPTS?

Over the 3-year period, SPTS has performed better with a 4.18% return vs 2.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBTL or SPTS?

SPTS is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IBTL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBTL or SPTS?

IBTL has the higher dividend yield at 3.97%, compared with 3.91% for SPTS.

What is the main difference between IBTL and SPTS?

IBTL tracks ICE 2031 Maturity US Treasury Index, while SPTS tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IBTL and 0.03% for SPTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 1.05), 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.