IEI vs. BNDX
IEI (iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF) and BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEI is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 3-7 Year Bond Index, while BNDX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEI returned 1.25%/yr vs 1.69%/yr for BNDX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IEI charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for BNDX.
Performance
IEI vs. BNDX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IEI achieves a -0.18% return, which is significantly lower than BNDX's 0.85% return. Over the past 10 years, IEI has underperformed BNDX with an annualized return of 1.25%, while BNDX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.69% annualized return.
IEI
- 1D
- 0.43%
- 1M
- 0.16%
- YTD
- -0.18%
- 6M
- 0.03%
- 1Y
- 3.35%
- 3Y*
- 3.65%
- 5Y*
- 0.24%
- 10Y*
- 1.25%
BNDX
- 1D
- 0.58%
- 1M
- 1.01%
- YTD
- 0.85%
- 6M
- 0.99%
- 1Y
- 1.99%
- 3Y*
- 4.13%
- 5Y*
- 0.29%
- 10Y*
- 1.69%
IEI vs. BNDX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IEI iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF | -0.18% | 6.96% | 1.81% | 4.42% | -9.51% | -2.54% | 6.95% | 5.71% | 1.36% | 1.22% |
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 0.85% | 2.86% | 3.57% | 8.77% | -12.76% | -2.29% | 4.65% | 7.87% | 2.81% | 2.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between IEI and BNDX is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2013 | 0.68 |
The correlation between IEI and BNDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (all time) to 0.79 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
IEI vs. BNDX — Risk / Return Rank
IEI
BNDX
IEI vs. BNDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEI) and Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX). 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.
| IEI | BNDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.55 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.87 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.10 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.35 | 0.68 | +0.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.80 | 1.90 | +1.90 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
IEI vs. BNDX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IEI drawdown since its inception was -14.60%, smaller than the maximum BNDX drawdown of -16.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEI and BNDX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IEI | BNDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.60% | -16.23% | +1.63% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.50% | -2.93% | +0.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.66% | -2.93% | -0.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.88% | -15.86% | +1.98% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.60% | -16.23% | +1.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.62% | -1.18% | -0.44% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.67% | -3.10% | +0.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.88% | 1.05% | -0.17% |
Volatility
IEI vs. BNDX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEI) is 0.97%, while Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) has a volatility of 1.50%. This indicates that IEI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BNDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IEI | BNDX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.97% | 1.50% | -0.53% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.19% | 2.96% | -0.77% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.01% | 3.47% | -0.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.78% | 4.89% | -0.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.93% | 4.10% | -0.17% |
IEI vs. BNDX - Expense Ratio Comparison
IEI has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than BNDX's 0.07% 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
IEI vs. BNDX - Dividend Comparison
IEI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.63%, less than BNDX's 4.48% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 4.48% | 4.39% | 4.18% | 4.42% | 1.51% | 3.74% | 1.11% | 3.40% | 3.01% | 2.23% | 1.89% | 1.63% |
IEI iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF | 3.63% | 3.48% | 3.18% | 2.36% | 1.37% | 0.73% | 1.12% | 2.01% | 1.95% | 1.51% | 1.33% | 1.39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IEI and BNDX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BNDX has higher volatility (1.50%) compared to IEI (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEI dropped -14.60% vs BNDX's -16.23%.
On 10-year performance, BNDX leads with 1.69% vs 1.25% for IEI. On fees, BNDX is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IEI has been the lower-risk option at 0.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, BNDX has performed better with a 1.69% return vs 1.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BNDX is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for IEI.
BNDX has the higher dividend yield at 4.48%, compared with 3.63% for IEI.
IEI is categorized as Government Bonds, while BNDX is Global Bonds. IEI tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 3-7 Year Bond Index, while BNDX tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged). They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IEI and 0.07% for BNDX.
IEI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.12 vs 0.58), 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.
Find the right allocation for IEI and BNDX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer