IMTB vs. NCPB
IMTB (iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF) and NCPB (Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. IMTB is passively managed, while NCPB is actively managed. Over the past year, IMTB returned 5.66% vs 5.71% for NCPB. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IMTB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for NCPB.
Performance
IMTB vs. NCPB - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IMTB achieves a 0.14% return, which is significantly lower than NCPB's 0.59% return.
IMTB
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- 0.13%
- YTD
- 0.14%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 5.66%
- 3Y*
- 4.82%
- 5Y*
- 0.58%
- 10Y*
- —
NCPB
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 0.33%
- YTD
- 0.59%
- 6M
- 0.84%
- 1Y
- 5.71%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IMTB vs. NCPB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.14% | 8.88% | 2.73% |
NCPB Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF | 0.59% | 7.69% | 3.55% |
Correlation
The correlation between IMTB and NCPB is 0.92, 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 | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2024 | 0.91 |
The correlation between IMTB and NCPB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.
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
IMTB vs. NCPB — Risk / Return Rank
IMTB
NCPB
IMTB vs. NCPB - 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 Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF (NCPB). 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 | NCPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.23 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.27 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.30 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.99 | 1.99 | 0.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.13 | 6.30 | -0.17 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IMTB | NCPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.41 | 1.64 | -0.23 |
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 | 1.22 | -0.85 |
Drawdowns
IMTB vs. NCPB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IMTB drawdown since its inception was -18.15%, which is greater than NCPB's maximum drawdown of -3.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMTB and NCPB.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IMTB | NCPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.15% | -3.59% | -14.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.86% | -2.88% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.80% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.11% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.58% | -1.25% | -0.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.13% | -0.93% | -3.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 0.91% | +0.01% |
Volatility
IMTB vs. NCPB - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) has a higher volatility of 1.46% compared to Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF (NCPB) at 1.24%. This indicates that IMTB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NCPB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IMTB | NCPB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.46% | 1.24% | +0.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.02% | 2.63% | +0.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.05% | 3.54% | +0.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.28% | 4.34% | +1.94% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.18% | 4.34% | +0.84% |
IMTB vs. NCPB - Expense Ratio Comparison
IMTB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than NCPB's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
IMTB vs. NCPB - Dividend Comparison
IMTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.52%, less than NCPB's 5.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
NCPB Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF | 5.21% | 5.21% | 5.14% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.92, IMTB and NCPB 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.
IMTB has higher volatility (1.46%) compared to NCPB (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMTB dropped -18.15% vs NCPB's -3.59%.
On 1-year performance, NCPB leads with 5.71% vs 5.66% for IMTB. On fees, IMTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, NCPB has been the lower-risk option at 1.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, NCPB has performed better with a 5.71% return vs 5.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IMTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for NCPB.
NCPB has the higher dividend yield at 5.21%, compared with 4.52% for IMTB.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IMTB and 0.30% for NCPB.
NCPB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 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.
Find the right allocation for IMTB and NCPB
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