IRTR vs. IBIT

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IRTR (Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IRTR is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by iShares, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. IRTR is actively managed, while IBIT is passively managed. Over the past year, IRTR returned 13.84% vs -39.60% for IBIT. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IRTR charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

IRTR vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IRTR achieves a 5.36% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -27.45% return.

IRTR

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: 5.36%
• 6M: 5.66%
• 1Y: 13.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIT

• 1D: -2.65%
• 1M: -22.17%
• YTD: -27.45%
• 6M: -31.40%
• 1Y: -39.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IRTR vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	5.36%	12.70%	8.10%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-27.45%	-6.41%	99.21%

Correlation

The correlation between IRTR and IBIT is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2024	0.35

Return for Risk

IRTR vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IRTR

IRTR Risk / Return Rank: 70
IRTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
IRTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IRTR Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IRTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
IRTR Martin Ratio Rank: 69

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 2
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

IRTR vs. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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.

	IRTR	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	-0.91	+3.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	-1.27	+4.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	0.86	+0.59
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	-0.80	+3.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	-1.39	+14.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IRTR vs. IBIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRTR Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is higher than the IBIT Sharpe Ratio of -0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRTR and IBIT, 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

	IRTR	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	-0.91	+3.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.02	0.27	+1.75

Drawdowns

IRTR vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRTR drawdown since its inception was -6.29%, smaller than the maximum IBIT drawdown of -49.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRTR and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRTR	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.29%	-49.47%	+43.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.82%	-49.47%	+44.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-49.47%	+49.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.78%	-16.07%	+15.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	28.61%	-27.52%

Volatility

IRTR vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF (IRTR) is 2.12%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 9.14%. This indicates that IRTR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRTR	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.12%	9.14%	-7.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.85%	33.89%	-29.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.00%	43.76%	-37.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.03%	50.18%	-43.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.03%	50.18%	-43.15%

IRTR vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IRTR has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IRTR vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

IRTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IRTR Ishares Lifepath Retirement ETF	2.99%	3.03%	3.03%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IRTR and IBIT in my portfolio?

IRTR and IBIT have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IRTR or IBIT?

IBIT has higher volatility (9.14%) compared to IRTR (2.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRTR dropped -6.29% vs IBIT's -49.47%.

Which ETF is better, IRTR or IBIT?

On 1-year performance, IRTR leads with 13.84% vs -39.60% for IBIT. On fees, IRTR is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IRTR has been the lower-risk option at 2.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IRTR or IBIT?

Over the 1-year period, IRTR has performed better with a 13.84% return vs -39.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IRTR or IBIT?

IRTR is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IBIT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IRTR or IBIT?

IRTR has the higher dividend yield at 2.99%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between IRTR and IBIT?

IRTR is categorized as Target Retirement Date, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for IRTR and 0.25% for IBIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 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.