ISDB vs. ISTB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ISDB (Invesco Short Duration Bond ETF) and ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds. ISDB is actively managed, while ISTB is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ISDB returned 5.63%/yr vs 4.98%/yr for ISTB. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ISDB charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for ISTB.

Performance

ISDB vs. ISTB - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISDB achieves a 1.12% return, which is significantly higher than ISTB's 0.57% return.

ISDB

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.12%
• 6M: 1.61%
• 1Y: 5.16%
• 3Y*: 5.63%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ISTB

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 0.57%
• 6M: 0.98%
• 1Y: 4.25%
• 3Y*: 4.98%
• 5Y*: 1.90%
• 10Y*: 2.28%

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

ISDB vs. ISTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ISDB Invesco Short Duration Bond ETF	1.12%	6.23%	5.35%	5.17%	0.01%
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF	0.57%	6.36%	4.37%	5.56%	-0.24%

Correlation

The correlation between ISDB and ISTB is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2022	0.84

The correlation between ISDB and ISTB shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ISDB vs. ISTB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISDB	ISTB
Financial Services	18.3%	-
Technology	5.4%	-
Industrials	4.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.4%	-
Energy	2.4%	-
Real Estate	2.4%	0.6%
Utilities	2.0%	99.4%
Healthcare	1.8%	-
Communication Services	1.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	1.0%	-

Return for Risk

ISDB vs. ISTB — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISDB

ISDB Risk / Return Rank: 92
ISDB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ISDB Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
ISDB Omega Ratio Rank: 97
ISDB Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
ISDB Martin Ratio Rank: 90

ISTB

ISTB Risk / Return Rank: 73
ISTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
ISTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
ISTB Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ISTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
ISTB Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

ISDB vs. ISTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Short Duration Bond ETF (ISDB) 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.

	ISDB	ISTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.73	2.41	+1.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.88	3.76	+2.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.88	1.47	+0.41
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.59	3.31	+1.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	21.23	12.67	+8.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISDB vs. ISTB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISDB Sharpe Ratio is 3.73, which is higher than the ISTB Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISDB 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ISDB	ISTB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.73	2.41	+1.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.91	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.79	0.84	+1.95

Drawdowns

ISDB vs. ISTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISDB drawdown since its inception was -1.83%, smaller than the maximum ISTB drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISDB and ISTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISDB	ISTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.83%	-9.34%	+7.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.12%	-1.26%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.12%	-1.36%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.34%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-9.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.34%	+0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.25%	-1.22%	+0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.24%	0.33%	-0.09%

Volatility

ISDB vs. ISTB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Short Duration Bond ETF (ISDB) is 0.39%, while iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) has a volatility of 0.55%. This indicates that ISDB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ISDB	ISTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	0.55%	-0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.09%	1.29%	-0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39%	1.77%	-0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.85%	2.79%	-0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.85%	2.51%	-0.66%

ISDB vs. ISTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISDB has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTB's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISDB vs. ISTB - Dividend Comparison

ISDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than ISTB's 4.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISDB Invesco Short Duration Bond ETF	4.58%	4.89%	5.50%	5.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both ISDB and ISTB in my portfolio?

ISDB and ISTB have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISDB or ISTB?

ISTB has higher volatility (0.55%) compared to ISDB (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISDB dropped -1.83% vs ISTB's -9.34%.

Which ETF is better, ISDB or ISTB?

On 3-year performance, ISDB leads with 5.63% vs 4.98% for ISTB. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, ISDB has been the lower-risk option at 0.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISDB or ISTB?

Over the 3-year period, ISDB has performed better with a 5.63% return vs 4.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISDB or ISTB?

ISTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for ISDB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ISDB or ISTB?

ISDB has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 4.25% for ISTB.

What is the main difference between ISDB and ISTB?

They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for ISDB and 0.06% for ISTB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.73 vs 2.41), 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.