ICPI vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ICPI (iShares 0-1 Year TIPS Bond ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ICPI is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 0-1 Year Inflation Linked Bond Index, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. At a correlation of -0.35, they often move in opposite directions. ICPI charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.

Performance

ICPI vs. TLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares 0-1 Year TIPS Bond ETF (ICPI) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ICPI achieves a 2.70% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -0.27% return.

ICPI

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 2.70%
• 6M: 2.76%
• 1Y: —
• 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%

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

ICPI vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ICPI iShares 0-1 Year TIPS Bond ETF	2.70%	0.32%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	-0.27%	-1.59%

Correlation

The correlation between ICPI and TLT is -0.35, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2025	-0.35

Return for Risk

ICPI vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLT

TLT Risk / Return Rank: 16
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

ICPI vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 0-1 Year TIPS Bond ETF (ICPI) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ICPI	TLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.51	—
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	6.20	0.26	+5.95

Drawdowns

ICPI vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICPI drawdown since its inception was -0.22%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICPI and TLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICPI	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.22%	-48.35%	+48.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.58%	—
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-40.44%	+40.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.03%	-13.82%	+13.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.04%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ICPI	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.76%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	6.50%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95%	9.77%	-8.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.95%	15.87%	-14.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.95%	14.91%	-13.96%

ICPI vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ICPI has a 0.09% 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

ICPI vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison

ICPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.80%, less than TLT's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICPI iShares 0-1 Year TIPS Bond ETF	1.80%	0.54%	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

Can I hold both ICPI and TLT in my portfolio?

ICPI and TLT have a correlation of -0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ICPI or TLT?

On fees, ICPI is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ICPI or TLT?

ICPI is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for TLT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ICPI or TLT?

TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 1.80% for ICPI.

What is the main difference between ICPI and TLT?

ICPI is categorized as Inflation-Protected Bonds, while TLT is Government Bonds. ICPI tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 0-1 Year Inflation Linked Bond Index, while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for ICPI and 0.15% for TLT.