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ISTB vs. TLT
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ISTB vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury 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 TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ISTB returned 2.27%/yr vs -1.66%/yr for TLT. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISTB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.

Performance

ISTB vs. TLT - 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 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISTB achieves a 0.49% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -0.27% return. Over the past 10 years, ISTB has outperformed TLT with an annualized return of 2.27%, while TLT has yielded a comparatively lower -1.66% annualized return.

ISTB

1D
-0.08%
1M
0.15%
YTD
0.49%
6M
0.71%
1Y
4.19%
3Y*
4.95%
5Y*
1.85%
10Y*
2.27%

TLT

1D
-0.40%
1M
0.81%
YTD
-0.27%
6M
-2.02%
1Y
4.93%
3Y*
-1.80%
5Y*
-6.31%
10Y*
-1.66%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ISTB vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ISTB
iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF		0.49%6.36%4.37%5.56%-6.08%-0.71%4.75%5.61%1.02%1.72%
TLT
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF		-0.27%4.25%-8.05%2.77%-31.23%-4.60%18.15%14.12%-1.61%9.18%

Correlation

The correlation between ISTB and TLT is 0.75, 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

0.75

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.77

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.72

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.63

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012

0.56

The correlation between ISTB and TLT shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (all time) to 0.77 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

Often compared with ISTB:
ISTB vs. BSVISTB vs. AGGISTB vs. FUMBXISTB vs. IMTBISTB vs. SHYISTB vs. IAGGISTB vs. FIBR
Often compared with TLT:
TLT vs. SPYTLT vs. IEFTLT vs. TMFTLT vs. BNDTLT vs. VGLTTLT vs. TLTWTLT vs. EDV

Return for Risk

ISTB vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ISTB
ISTB Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
ISTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ISTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 8181
Sortino Ratio Rank
ISTB Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
ISTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
ISTB Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
TLT
TLT Risk / Return Rank: 1616
Overall Rank
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1616
Sharpe Ratio Rank
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 1515
Sortino Ratio Rank
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 1515
Omega Ratio Rank
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 1717
Calmar Ratio Rank
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 1616
Martin Ratio Rank
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. TLT - 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 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.

ISTBTLTDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.37
0.51

+1.87

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.69
0.80

+2.89

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.46

1.09

+0.37

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.34

0.65

+2.69

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.72

1.63

+11.09

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISTB vs. TLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISTB Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the TLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISTB and TLT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

ISTBTLTDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.37

0.51

+1.87

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.67

-0.40

+1.07

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.91

-0.11

+1.02

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.84

0.26

+0.58

Drawdowns

ISTB vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISTB drawdown since its inception was -9.34%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISTB and TLT.

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Drawdown Indicators

ISTBTLTDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-9.34%

-48.35%

+39.01%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.26%

-7.58%

+6.32%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.36%

-19.18%

+17.82%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-9.34%

-43.70%

+34.36%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-9.34%

-48.35%

+39.01%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.42%

-40.44%

+40.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-1.22%

-13.82%

+12.60%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.33%

3.04%

-2.71%

Volatility

ISTB vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) is 0.54%, while iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has a volatility of 2.76%. This indicates that ISTB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ISTBTLTDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.54%

2.76%

-2.22%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.28%

6.50%

-5.22%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.77%

9.77%

-8.00%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.79%

15.87%

-13.08%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

2.51%

14.91%

-12.40%

ISTB vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISTB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than TLT'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. TLT - Dividend Comparison

ISTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, less than TLT's 4.59% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
TLT
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF		4.59%4.43%4.30%3.38%2.67%1.50%1.50%2.27%2.63%2.43%2.60%2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

ISTB and TLT have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

TLT has higher volatility (2.76%) compared to ISTB (0.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISTB dropped -9.34% vs TLT's -48.35%.

On 10-year performance, ISTB leads with 2.27% vs -1.66% for TLT. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, ISTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, ISTB has performed better with a 2.27% return vs -1.66%. 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 TLT.

TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 4.25% for ISTB.

ISTB is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while TLT is Government Bonds. ISTB tracks BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD), while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for ISTB and 0.15% for TLT.

ISTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 0.51), 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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