IMTB vs. STXT
IMTB (iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF) and STXT (Strive Total Return Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds - IMTB tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal 5-10 Years Index while STXT tracks the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IMTB returned 5.97% vs 3.92% for STXT. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IMTB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for STXT.
Performance
IMTB vs. STXT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IMTB achieves a -0.02% return, which is significantly higher than STXT's -0.14% return.
IMTB
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- -0.07%
- YTD
- -0.02%
- 6M
- 0.07%
- 1Y
- 5.97%
- 3Y*
- 4.75%
- 5Y*
- 0.55%
- 10Y*
- —
STXT
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- -0.55%
- YTD
- -0.14%
- 6M
- -0.25%
- 1Y
- 3.92%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IMTB vs. STXT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | -0.02% | 8.88% | 1.94% | 4.40% |
STXT Strive Total Return Bond ETF | -0.14% | 6.58% | 1.77% | 4.09% |
Correlation
The correlation between IMTB and STXT is 0.72, 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 | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2023 | 0.82 |
The correlation between IMTB and STXT shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IMTB vs. STXT — Risk / Return Rank
IMTB
STXT
IMTB vs. STXT - 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 Strive Total Return Bond ETF (STXT). 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 | STXT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.47 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.76 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.18 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.10 | 1.40 | +0.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.51 | 4.23 | +2.27 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IMTB | STXT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.48 | 1.02 | +0.47 |
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 | 0.87 | -0.51 |
Drawdowns
IMTB vs. STXT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IMTB drawdown since its inception was -18.15%, which is greater than STXT's maximum drawdown of -5.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMTB and STXT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IMTB | STXT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.15% | -5.27% | -12.88% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.86% | -2.80% | -0.06% |
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 | -1.74% | -1.99% | +0.25% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.13% | -1.36% | -2.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 0.93% | -0.01% |
Volatility
IMTB vs. STXT - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) and Strive Total Return Bond ETF (STXT) have volatilities of 1.45% and 1.52%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| IMTB | STXT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.45% | 1.52% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.02% | 2.78% | +0.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.05% | 3.87% | +0.18% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.28% | 5.04% | +1.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.18% | 5.04% | +0.14% |
IMTB vs. STXT - Expense Ratio Comparison
IMTB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than STXT's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
IMTB vs. STXT - Dividend Comparison
IMTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.52%, less than STXT's 4.72% 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% |
STXT Strive Total Return Bond ETF | 4.72% | 4.93% | 5.15% | 1.82% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IMTB and STXT have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
STXT has higher volatility (1.52%) compared to IMTB (1.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMTB dropped -18.15% vs STXT's -5.27%.
On 1-year performance, IMTB leads with 5.97% vs 3.92% for STXT. On fees, IMTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, IMTB has performed better with a 5.97% return vs 3.92%. 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 0.49% for STXT.
STXT has the higher dividend yield at 4.72%, compared with 4.52% for IMTB.
IMTB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal 5-10 Years Index, while STXT tracks Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IMTB and 0.49% for STXT.
IMTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.02), 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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