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ILTB vs. ISTB
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ILTB vs. ISTB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILTB (iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF) and ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILTB is a Long-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal 10+ Year Index (USD), while ISTB is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ILTB returned 1.32%/yr vs 2.27%/yr for ISTB. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.06% expense ratio.

Performance

ILTB vs. ISTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF (ILTB) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILTB achieves a 0.30% return, which is significantly lower than ISTB's 0.49% return. Over the past 10 years, ILTB has underperformed ISTB with an annualized return of 1.32%, while ISTB has yielded a comparatively higher 2.27% annualized return.

ILTB

1D
-0.33%
1M
1.04%
YTD
0.30%
6M
-0.71%
1Y
7.17%
3Y*
2.78%
5Y*
-2.88%
10Y*
1.32%

ISTB

1D
-0.08%
1M
0.15%
YTD
0.49%
6M
0.71%
1Y
4.19%
3Y*
4.95%
5Y*
1.85%
10Y*
2.27%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ILTB vs. ISTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ILTB
iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF		0.30%7.22%-3.00%8.04%-26.62%-2.67%16.10%19.61%-5.10%11.24%
ISTB
iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF		0.49%6.36%4.37%5.56%-6.08%-0.71%4.75%5.61%1.02%1.72%

Correlation

The correlation between ILTB and ISTB is 0.78, 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

0.78

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.80

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.77

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.69

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012

0.61

The correlation between ILTB and ISTB shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (all time) to 0.80 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF

iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF

Often compared with ILTB:
ILTB vs. IMTBILTB vs. TLTILTB vs. VCLTILTB vs. BLVILTB vs. IEFILTB vs. DIALILTB vs. BND
Often compared with ISTB:
ISTB vs. BSVISTB vs. AGGISTB vs. FUMBXISTB vs. IMTBISTB vs. SHYISTB vs. IAGGISTB vs. FIBR

Return for Risk

ILTB vs. ISTB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ILTB
ILTB Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
ILTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2525
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ILTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
ILTB Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
ILTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 2727
Calmar Ratio Rank
ILTB Martin Ratio Rank: 2525
Martin Ratio Rank
ISTB
ISTB Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
ISTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ISTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 8181
Sortino Ratio Rank
ISTB Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
ISTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
ISTB Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
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. ISTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF (ILTB) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). 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.

ILTBISTBDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.91
2.37

-1.46

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.34
3.69

-2.35

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.16

1.46

-0.31

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.33

3.34

-2.01

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.38

12.72

-9.34

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. ISTB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILTB Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the ISTB Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILTB and ISTB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

ILTBISTBDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.91

2.37

-1.46

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.23

0.67

-0.90

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.11

0.91

-0.79

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.35

0.84

-0.49

Drawdowns

ILTB vs. ISTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILTB drawdown since its inception was -36.88%, which is greater than ISTB's maximum drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILTB and ISTB.

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Drawdown Indicators

ILTBISTBDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-36.88%

-9.34%

-27.54%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.42%

-1.26%

-4.16%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.60%

-1.36%

-13.24%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.22%

-9.34%

-25.88%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.88%

-9.34%

-27.54%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-21.28%

-0.42%

-20.86%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.92%

-1.22%

-8.70%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.13%

0.33%

+1.80%

Volatility

ILTB vs. ISTB - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF (ILTB) has a higher volatility of 2.50% compared to iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) at 0.54%. This indicates that ILTB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ILTBISTBDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.50%

0.54%

+1.96%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

5.54%

1.28%

+4.26%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

7.88%

1.77%

+6.11%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

12.64%

2.79%

+9.85%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

11.56%

2.51%

+9.05%

ILTB vs. ISTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ILTB and ISTB have an expense ratio of 0.06%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ILTB vs. ISTB - Dividend Comparison

ILTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.96%, more than ISTB's 4.25% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ILTB
iShares Core 10+ Year USD Bond ETF		4.96%4.83%4.91%4.38%4.31%3.04%3.32%3.45%4.13%3.97%3.99%4.20%
ISTB
iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF		4.25%4.12%3.83%2.97%2.01%1.69%2.20%2.75%2.57%2.06%1.90%1.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

ILTB and ISTB have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ILTB has higher volatility (2.50%) compared to ISTB (0.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILTB dropped -36.88% vs ISTB's -9.34%.

On 10-year performance, ISTB leads with 2.27% vs 1.32% for ILTB. Both ETFs have the same 0.06% expense ratio. On volatility, ISTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, ISTB has performed better with a 2.27% return vs 1.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ILTB and ISTB have the same expense ratio: 0.06% per year.

ILTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.96%, compared with 4.25% for ISTB.

ILTB is categorized as Long-Term Bond, while ISTB is Short-Term Bond. ILTB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal 10+ Year Index (USD), while ISTB tracks BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD).

ISTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 0.91), 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.

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