IMTB vs. BRTR

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IMTB (iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF) and BRTR (Blackrock Total Return ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. IMTB is passively managed, while BRTR is actively managed. Over the past year, IMTB returned 5.66% vs 5.46% for BRTR. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IMTB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for BRTR.

Performance

IMTB vs. BRTR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IMTB achieves a 0.14% return, which is significantly lower than BRTR's 0.51% return.

IMTB

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 0.14%
• 6M: 0.49%
• 1Y: 5.66%
• 3Y*: 4.82%
• 5Y*: 0.58%
• 10Y*: —

BRTR

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 0.51%
• 6M: 0.61%
• 1Y: 5.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IMTB vs. BRTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF	0.14%	8.88%	1.94%	0.43%
BRTR Blackrock Total Return ETF	0.51%	8.11%	1.29%	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between IMTB and BRTR is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2023	0.92

The correlation between IMTB and BRTR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IMTB vs. BRTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

IMTB

IMTB Risk / Return Rank: 41
IMTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
IMTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
IMTB Omega Ratio Rank: 39
IMTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
IMTB Martin Ratio Rank: 39

BRTR

BRTR Risk / Return Rank: 40
BRTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
BRTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
BRTR Omega Ratio Rank: 42
BRTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
BRTR Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

IMTB vs. BRTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) and Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR). 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.

	IMTB	BRTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.51	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	2.19	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.27	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.99	1.68	+0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.13	5.07	+1.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IMTB vs. BRTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IMTB Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the BRTR Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IMTB and BRTR, 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

	IMTB	BRTR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	1.51	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.89	-0.53

Drawdowns

IMTB vs. BRTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IMTB drawdown since its inception was -18.15%, which is greater than BRTR's maximum drawdown of -5.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMTB and BRTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	IMTB	BRTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.15%	-5.07%	-13.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.86%	-3.26%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.80%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.11%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.58%	-1.58%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.13%	-1.35%	-2.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	1.08%	-0.16%

Volatility

IMTB vs. BRTR - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) has a higher volatility of 1.46% compared to Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR) at 1.27%. This indicates that IMTB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IMTB	BRTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.46%	1.27%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.02%	2.77%	+0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.05%	3.68%	+0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.28%	4.69%	+1.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.18%	4.69%	+0.49%

IMTB vs. BRTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IMTB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than BRTR's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

IMTB vs. BRTR - Dividend Comparison

IMTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.52%, less than BRTR's 4.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BRTR Blackrock Total Return ETF	4.72%	4.86%	5.58%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF	4.52%	4.40%	4.42%	4.13%	2.90%	2.49%	2.63%	2.91%	3.04%	2.75%	0.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IMTB and BRTR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, IMTB and BRTR 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, IMTB or BRTR?

IMTB has higher volatility (1.46%) compared to BRTR (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMTB dropped -18.15% vs BRTR's -5.07%.

Which ETF is better, IMTB or BRTR?

On 1-year performance, IMTB leads with 5.66% vs 5.46% for BRTR. On fees, IMTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, BRTR has been the lower-risk option at 1.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IMTB or BRTR?

Over the 1-year period, IMTB has performed better with a 5.66% return vs 5.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IMTB or BRTR?

IMTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for BRTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IMTB or BRTR?

BRTR has the higher dividend yield at 4.72%, compared with 4.52% for IMTB.

What is the main difference between IMTB and BRTR?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and BlackRock. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IMTB and 0.38% for BRTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BRTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 1.41), 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.