ILTB vs. BLV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ILTB (iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF) and BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) are both Long-Term Bond funds - ILTB tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal 10+ Year Index (USD) while BLV tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ILTB returned 1.36%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for BLV. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ILTB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BLV.

Performance

ILTB vs. BLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF (ILTB) 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, ILTB achieves a 0.63% return, which is significantly higher than BLV's 0.59% return. Over the past 10 years, ILTB has outperformed BLV with an annualized return of 1.36%, while BLV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.02% annualized return.

ILTB

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 0.63%
• 6M: -0.14%
• 1Y: 7.61%
• 3Y*: 2.89%
• 5Y*: -2.60%
• 10Y*: 1.36%

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)

ILTB vs. BLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ILTB iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF	0.63%	7.22%	-3.00%	8.04%	-26.62%	-2.67%	16.10%	19.61%	-5.10%	11.24%
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 ILTB and BLV is 0.99 - 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	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2009	0.88

The correlation between ILTB and BLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.88 (all time) to 0.99 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ILTB vs. BLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILTB

ILTB Risk / Return Rank: 26
ILTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
ILTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
ILTB Omega Ratio Rank: 25
ILTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
ILTB Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

ILTB vs. BLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF (ILTB) 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.

	ILTB	BLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	0.86	+0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.42	1.27	+0.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.15	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	1.09	+0.18
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.23	2.76	+0.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILTB vs. BLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILTB Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is comparable to the BLV Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILTB 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

	ILTB	BLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97	0.86	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.21	-0.24	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	0.09	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.37	-0.02

Drawdowns

ILTB vs. BLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILTB drawdown since its inception was -36.88%, roughly equal to the maximum BLV drawdown of -38.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILTB and BLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILTB	BLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.88%	-38.29%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.42%	-5.73%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.60%	-15.16%	+0.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.22%	-36.27%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.88%	-38.29%	+1.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.03%	-23.91%	+2.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.92%	-9.51%	-0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.12%	2.26%	-0.14%

Volatility

ILTB vs. BLV - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF (ILTB) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) have volatilities of 2.54% and 2.57%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILTB	BLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	2.57%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.63%	5.71%	-0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.90%	8.17%	-0.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.64%	12.97%	-0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.56%	11.99%	-0.43%

ILTB vs. BLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILTB 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

ILTB vs. BLV - Dividend Comparison

ILTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.94%, 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%
ILTB iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF	4.94%	4.83%	4.91%	4.38%	4.31%	3.04%	3.32%	3.45%	4.13%	3.97%	3.99%	4.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILTB and BLV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, ILTB 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, ILTB or BLV?

BLV has higher volatility (2.57%) compared to ILTB (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILTB dropped -36.88% vs BLV's -38.29%.

Which ETF is better, ILTB or BLV?

On 10-year performance, ILTB leads with 1.36% vs 1.02% for BLV. On fees, BLV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILTB or BLV?

Over the 10-year period, ILTB has performed better with a 1.36% return vs 1.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILTB or BLV?

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

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

ILTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.94%, compared with 4.79% for BLV.

What is the main difference between ILTB and BLV?

ILTB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal 10+ Year Index (USD), 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 ILTB and 0.03% for BLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.97 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.