ISTB vs. FLDR
ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) and FLDR (Fidelity Low Duration Bond Factor ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds - ISTB tracks the BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD) while FLDR tracks the Fidelity Low Duration Investment Grade Factor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ISTB returned 1.91%/yr vs 3.72%/yr for FLDR. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISTB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for FLDR.
Performance
ISTB vs. FLDR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ISTB achieves a 0.53% return, which is significantly lower than FLDR's 1.70% return.
ISTB
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.27%
- YTD
- 0.53%
- 6M
- 0.69%
- 1Y
- 3.65%
- 3Y*
- 5.01%
- 5Y*
- 1.91%
- 10Y*
- 2.24%
FLDR
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.47%
- YTD
- 1.70%
- 6M
- 1.84%
- 1Y
- 4.64%
- 3Y*
- 5.33%
- 5Y*
- 3.72%
- 10Y*
- —
ISTB vs. FLDR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.53% | 6.36% | 4.37% | 5.56% | -6.08% | -0.71% | 4.75% | 5.61% | 1.78% |
FLDR Fidelity Low Duration Bond Factor ETF | 1.70% | 5.41% | 5.71% | 6.32% | -0.33% | -0.18% | 2.01% | 4.52% | 0.84% |
Correlation
The correlation between ISTB and FLDR is 0.64, 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 | 0.64 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2018 | 0.50 |
The correlation between ISTB and FLDR shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (all time) to 0.71 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ISTB vs. FLDR — Risk / Return Rank
ISTB
FLDR
ISTB vs. FLDR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) and Fidelity Low Duration Bond Factor ETF (FLDR). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ISTB | FLDR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.70 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -6.55 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 2.65 | -1.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.91 | 9.97 | -7.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.69 | 67.93 | -57.24 |
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Drawdowns
ISTB vs. FLDR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ISTB drawdown since its inception was -9.34%, smaller than the maximum FLDR drawdown of -12.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISTB and FLDR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ISTB | FLDR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.34% | -12.23% | +2.89% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.26% | -0.47% | -0.79% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.36% | -0.76% | -0.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.34% | -2.33% | -7.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -9.34% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.38% | 0.00% | -0.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.22% | -0.35% | -0.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.34% | 0.07% | +0.27% |
Volatility
ISTB vs. FLDR - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) has a higher volatility of 0.64% compared to Fidelity Low Duration Bond Factor ETF (FLDR) at 0.19%. This indicates that ISTB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FLDR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ISTB | FLDR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.64% | 0.19% | +0.45% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.36% | 0.60% | +0.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.79% | 0.81% | +0.98% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.80% | 1.21% | +1.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.51% | 5.25% | -2.74% |
ISTB vs. FLDR - Expense Ratio Comparison
ISTB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than FLDR's 0.15% 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
ISTB vs. FLDR - Dividend Comparison
ISTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, less than FLDR's 4.41% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FLDR Fidelity Low Duration Bond Factor ETF | 4.41% | 4.66% | 5.50% | 5.28% | 2.09% | 0.51% | 1.22% | 2.69% | 1.38% | 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
ISTB and FLDR have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ISTB has higher volatility (0.64%) compared to FLDR (0.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISTB dropped -9.34% vs FLDR's -12.23%.
On 5-year performance, FLDR leads with 3.72% vs 1.91% for ISTB. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, FLDR has been the lower-risk option at 0.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FLDR has performed better with a 3.72% return vs 1.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ISTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for FLDR.
FLDR has the higher dividend yield at 4.41%, compared with 4.25% for ISTB.
ISTB tracks BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD), while FLDR tracks Fidelity Low Duration Investment Grade Factor Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for ISTB and 0.15% for FLDR.
FLDR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.75 vs 2.05), 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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