ISTB vs. IAGG
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) and iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG).
ISTB and IAGG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ISTB is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Barclays U.S. Government/Credit 1-5 Year Bond Index. It was launched on Oct 18, 2012. IAGG is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Barclays Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index. It was launched on Nov 10, 2015. Both ISTB and IAGG are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: ISTB or IAGG.
Key characteristics
| ISTB | IAGG | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 3.85% | 3.65% |
| 1Y Return | 6.32% | 7.79% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 0.95% | 0.04% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 1.48% | 0.56% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 2.60 | 2.21 |
| Sortino Ratio | 4.10 | 3.44 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.52 | 1.40 |
| Calmar Ratio | 1.57 | 0.96 |
| Martin Ratio | 14.09 | 12.37 |
| Ulcer Index | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Daily Std Dev | 2.71% | 3.90% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.34% | -13.88% |
| Current Drawdown | -1.20% | -1.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between ISTB and IAGG is 0.57, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Performance
ISTB vs. IAGG - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, ISTB achieves a 3.85% return, which is significantly higher than IAGG's 3.65% return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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ISTB vs. IAGG - Expense Ratio Comparison
ISTB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than IAGG's 0.09% 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%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
ISTB vs. IAGG - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) and iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG). 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.
Dividends
ISTB vs. IAGG - Dividend Comparison
ISTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.74%, more than IAGG's 3.43% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF | 3.74% | 2.97% | 2.01% | 1.69% | 2.20% | 2.75% | 2.57% | 2.07% | 1.90% | 1.58% | 1.07% | 0.60% |
IAGG iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF | 3.43% | 3.55% | 2.28% | 1.16% | 1.95% | 2.82% | 3.02% | 1.74% | 1.56% | 0.13% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
ISTB vs. IAGG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ISTB drawdown since its inception was -9.34%, smaller than the maximum IAGG drawdown of -13.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISTB and IAGG. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
ISTB vs. IAGG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) is 0.68%, while iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) has a volatility of 0.99%. This indicates that ISTB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAGG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.