ISTM vs. TLT
ISTM (iShares Strategic Metals ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ISTM is a Metals fund tracking the ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ISTM returned 58.68% vs 4.93% for TLT. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ISTM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.
Performance
ISTM vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ISTM achieves a 13.15% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -0.27% return.
ISTM
- 1D
- -2.14%
- 1M
- 4.48%
- YTD
- 13.15%
- 6M
- 24.67%
- 1Y
- 58.68%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
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%
ISTM vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF | 13.15% | 54.07% | 6.95% | 2.69% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | -0.27% | 4.25% | -8.05% | 12.96% |
Correlation
The correlation between ISTM and TLT is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2023 | 0.09 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ISTM vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank
ISTM
TLT
ISTM vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) 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.
| ISTM | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.09 | +0.27 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.66 | 0.65 | +2.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.65 | 1.63 | +5.02 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ISTM | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.92 | 0.51 | +1.42 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | -0.40 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | -0.11 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.15 | 0.26 | +0.89 |
Drawdowns
ISTM vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ISTM drawdown since its inception was -22.20%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISTM and TLT.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ISTM | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.20% | -48.35% | +26.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -22.20% | -7.58% | -14.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -19.18% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -43.70% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -48.35% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.03% | -40.44% | +29.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.49% | -13.82% | +7.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.85% | 3.04% | +5.81% |
Volatility
ISTM vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) has a higher volatility of 8.76% compared to iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) at 2.76%. This indicates that ISTM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ISTM | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.76% | 2.76% | +6.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 28.06% | 6.50% | +21.56% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.67% | 9.77% | +20.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.11% | 15.87% | +8.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.11% | 14.91% | +9.20% |
ISTM vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
ISTM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
ISTM vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
ISTM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.06%, more than TLT's 4.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISTM iShares Strategic Metals ETF | 13.06% | 14.78% | 29.62% | 1.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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
ISTM and TLT have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ISTM has higher volatility (8.76%) compared to TLT (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISTM dropped -22.20% vs TLT's -48.35%.
On 1-year performance, ISTM leads with 58.68% vs 4.93% for TLT. On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, TLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, ISTM has performed better with a 58.68% return vs 4.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for ISTM.
ISTM has the higher dividend yield at 13.06%, compared with 4.59% for TLT.
ISTM is categorized as Metals, while TLT is Government Bonds. ISTM tracks ICE Strategic Re-Industrialization Metals Index, while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for ISTM and 0.15% for TLT.
ISTM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 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.
Find the right allocation for ISTM and TLT
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer