IGLB vs. BLV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IGLB (iShares 10+ Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF) and BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGLB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofAML10+ Year US Corporate Index, while BLV is a Long-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGLB returned 2.31%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for BLV. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IGLB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BLV.

Performance

IGLB vs. BLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares 10+ Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (IGLB) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGLB achieves a 1.17% return, which is significantly higher than BLV's 0.59% return. Over the past 10 years, IGLB has outperformed BLV with an annualized return of 2.31%, while BLV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.02% annualized return.

IGLB

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 1.17%
• 6M: 0.53%
• 1Y: 8.32%
• 3Y*: 4.64%
• 5Y*: -1.39%
• 10Y*: 2.31%

BLV

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 0.59%
• 6M: -0.26%
• 1Y: 6.95%
• 3Y*: 2.13%
• 5Y*: -3.04%
• 10Y*: 1.02%

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

IGLB vs. BLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IGLB iShares 10+ Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF	1.17%	7.53%	-1.50%	11.03%	-25.38%	-1.68%	13.30%	23.19%	-6.90%	12.15%
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF	0.59%	6.44%	-3.65%	7.35%	-26.95%	-2.89%	16.13%	18.99%	-4.17%	10.74%

Correlation

The correlation between IGLB and BLV is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2009	0.89

The correlation between IGLB and BLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IGLB vs. BLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGLB

IGLB Risk / Return Rank: 29
IGLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
IGLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IGLB Omega Ratio Rank: 27
IGLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IGLB Martin Ratio Rank: 27

BLV

BLV Risk / Return Rank: 23
BLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
BLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
BLV Omega Ratio Rank: 22
BLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
BLV Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

IGLB vs. BLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 10+ Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (IGLB) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV). 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.

	IGLB	BLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	0.86	+0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.55	1.27	+0.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.15	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	1.09	+0.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.79	2.76	+1.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGLB vs. BLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGLB Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is comparable to the BLV Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGLB and BLV, 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

	IGLB	BLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	0.86	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.11	-0.24	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18	0.09	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.37	+0.01

Drawdowns

IGLB vs. BLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGLB drawdown since its inception was -34.12%, smaller than the maximum BLV drawdown of -38.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGLB and BLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGLB	BLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.12%	-38.29%	+4.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.19%	-5.73%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.87%	-15.16%	+2.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.12%	-36.27%	+2.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.12%	-38.29%	+4.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.43%	-23.91%	+10.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.11%	-9.51%	+1.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	2.26%	-0.20%

Volatility

IGLB vs. BLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares 10+ Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (IGLB) is 2.37%, while Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) has a volatility of 2.57%. This indicates that IGLB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGLB	BLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.37%	2.57%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.75%	5.71%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.85%	8.17%	-0.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.40%	12.97%	-0.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.54%	11.99%	+0.55%

IGLB vs. BLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGLB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than BLV'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

IGLB vs. BLV - Dividend Comparison

IGLB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.24%, more than BLV's 4.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF	4.79%	4.67%	5.09%	4.06%	4.17%	3.37%	6.12%	3.57%	4.07%	3.63%	4.16%	4.37%
IGLB iShares 10+ Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF	5.24%	5.14%	5.10%	4.59%	4.56%	3.16%	3.22%	3.73%	4.56%	3.94%	4.21%	4.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IGLB and BLV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, IGLB and BLV move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IGLB or BLV?

BLV has higher volatility (2.57%) compared to IGLB (2.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGLB dropped -34.12% vs BLV's -38.29%.

Which ETF is better, IGLB or BLV?

On 10-year performance, IGLB leads with 2.31% vs 1.02% for BLV. On fees, BLV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IGLB has been the lower-risk option at 2.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IGLB or BLV?

Over the 10-year period, IGLB has performed better with a 2.31% return vs 1.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IGLB or BLV?

BLV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for IGLB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IGLB or BLV?

IGLB has the higher dividend yield at 5.24%, compared with 4.79% for BLV.

What is the main difference between IGLB and BLV?

IGLB is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while BLV is Long-Term Bond. IGLB tracks ICE BofAML10+ Year US Corporate Index, while BLV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IGLB and 0.03% for BLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IGLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 0.86), 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.