ISTB vs. IMTB
ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) and IMTB (iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ISTB is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD), while IMTB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal 5-10 Years Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ISTB returned 1.90%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for IMTB. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.06% expense ratio.
Performance
ISTB vs. IMTB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ISTB achieves a 0.57% return, which is significantly higher than IMTB's 0.28% return.
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%
IMTB
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.01%
- YTD
- 0.28%
- 6M
- 0.54%
- 1Y
- 6.33%
- 3Y*
- 4.86%
- 5Y*
- 0.61%
- 10Y*
- —
ISTB vs. IMTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.57% | 6.36% | 4.37% | 5.56% | -6.08% | -0.71% | 4.75% | 5.61% | 1.02% | 1.72% |
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.28% | 8.88% | 1.94% | 6.10% | -12.75% | -1.41% | 6.25% | 8.62% | -0.45% | 4.88% |
Correlation
The correlation between ISTB and IMTB is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2016 | 0.75 |
The correlation between ISTB and IMTB shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (all time) to 0.89 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ISTB vs. IMTB — Risk / Return Rank
ISTB
IMTB
ISTB vs. IMTB - 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 Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB). 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.
| ISTB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 2.41 | 1.58 | +0.84 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 3.76 | 2.40 | +1.36 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.47 | 1.28 | +0.19 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.31 | 2.14 | +1.17 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.67 | 6.69 | +5.98 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ISTB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.41 | 1.58 | +0.84 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.68 | 0.10 | +0.59 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.91 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.84 | 0.37 | +0.47 |
Drawdowns
ISTB vs. IMTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ISTB drawdown since its inception was -9.34%, smaller than the maximum IMTB drawdown of -18.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISTB and IMTB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ISTB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.34% | -18.15% | +8.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.26% | -2.86% | +1.60% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.36% | -6.80% | +5.44% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.34% | -18.11% | +8.77% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -9.34% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.34% | -1.44% | +1.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.22% | -4.13% | +2.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.33% | 0.91% | -0.58% |
Volatility
ISTB vs. IMTB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) is 0.55%, while iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) has a volatility of 1.43%. This indicates that ISTB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IMTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ISTB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.55% | 1.43% | -0.88% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.29% | 3.02% | -1.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.77% | 4.04% | -2.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.79% | 6.28% | -3.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.51% | 5.18% | -2.67% |
ISTB vs. IMTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both ISTB and IMTB have an expense ratio of 0.06%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
ISTB vs. IMTB - Dividend Comparison
ISTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, less than IMTB's 4.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 4.51% | 4.40% | 4.42% | 4.13% | 2.90% | 2.49% | 2.63% | 2.91% | 3.04% | 2.75% | 0.40% | 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 IMTB have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IMTB has higher volatility (1.43%) compared to ISTB (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISTB dropped -9.34% vs IMTB's -18.15%.
On 5-year performance, ISTB leads with 1.90% vs 0.61% for IMTB. Both ETFs have the same 0.06% expense ratio. On volatility, ISTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ISTB has performed better with a 1.90% return vs 0.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ISTB and IMTB have the same expense ratio: 0.06% per year.
IMTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.51%, compared with 4.25% for ISTB.
ISTB is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while IMTB is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. ISTB tracks BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD), while IMTB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal 5-10 Years Index.
ISTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.58), 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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