ISTB vs. IBIT

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ISTB is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD), while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ISTB returned 3.42% vs -47.60% for IBIT. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ISTB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

ISTB vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) 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, ISTB achieves a 0.49% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -29.06% return.

ISTB

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -0.10%
• 6M: 0.45%
• YTD: 0.49%
• 1Y: 3.42%
• 3Y*: 4.90%
• 5Y*: 1.86%
• 10Y*: 2.21%

IBIT

• 1D: -2.79%
• 1M: -2.28%
• 6M: -32.10%
• YTD: -29.06%
• 1Y: -47.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ISTB vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF	0.49%	6.36%	4.64%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-29.06%	-6.41%	89.87%

Correlation

The correlation between ISTB and IBIT is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	0.05

Return for Risk

ISTB vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISTB

ISTB Risk / Return Rank: 75
ISTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
ISTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
ISTB Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ISTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
ISTB Martin Ratio Rank: 69

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 1
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

ISTB vs. IBIT - 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 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.

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	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	-1.08	+2.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	-1.65	+4.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	0.82	+0.55
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	-0.90	+3.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.02	-1.46	+11.47

ISTB vs. IBIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISTB Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is higher than the IBIT Sharpe Ratio of -1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISTB 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.

Drawdowns

ISTB vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISTB drawdown since its inception was -9.34%, smaller than the maximum IBIT drawdown of -53.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISTB and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISTB	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.34%	-53.30%	+43.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.26%	-53.30%	+52.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.36%	—	—
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	-0.42%	-50.60%	+50.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.21%	-17.56%	+16.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	32.72%	-32.38%

Volatility

ISTB vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) is 0.61%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 11.51%. This indicates that ISTB 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

	ISTB	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	11.51%	-10.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.39%	34.79%	-33.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80%	44.38%	-42.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.80%	49.97%	-47.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.51%	49.97%	-47.46%

ISTB vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISTB has a 0.06% 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

ISTB vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

ISTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.27%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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	4.27%	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 ISTB and IBIT in my portfolio?

ISTB and IBIT have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISTB or IBIT?

IBIT has higher volatility (11.51%) compared to ISTB (0.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISTB dropped -9.34% vs IBIT's -53.30%.

Which ETF is better, ISTB or IBIT?

On 1-year performance, ISTB leads with 3.42% vs -47.60% for IBIT. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, ISTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISTB or IBIT?

Over the 1-year period, ISTB has performed better with a 3.42% return vs -47.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISTB or IBIT?

ISTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IBIT.

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

ISTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.27%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between ISTB and IBIT?

ISTB is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. ISTB tracks BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD), while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for ISTB and 0.25% for IBIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs -1.08), 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.