ITDJ vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ITDJ (iShares LifePath Target Date 2070 ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ITDJ is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by iShares, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. ITDJ is actively managed, while TLT is passively managed. Over the past year, ITDJ returned 29.01% vs 4.93% for TLT. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ITDJ charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.

Performance

ITDJ vs. TLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares LifePath Target Date 2070 ETF (ITDJ) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ITDJ achieves a 12.11% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -0.27% return.

ITDJ

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 4.82%
• YTD: 12.11%
• 6M: 13.07%
• 1Y: 29.01%
• 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%

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

ITDJ vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ITDJ iShares LifePath Target Date 2070 ETF	12.11%	22.02%	-1.70%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	-0.27%	4.25%	-2.03%

Correlation

The correlation between ITDJ and TLT is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2024	0.24

Return for Risk

ITDJ vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITDJ

ITDJ Risk / Return Rank: 69
ITDJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ITDJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ITDJ Omega Ratio Rank: 70
ITDJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ITDJ Martin Ratio Rank: 72

TLT

TLT Risk / Return Rank: 16
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

ITDJ vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares LifePath Target Date 2070 ETF (ITDJ) 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.

	ITDJ	TLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	0.51	+1.77
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	0.80	+2.36
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.09	+0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	0.65	+2.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.33	1.63	+11.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ITDJ vs. TLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITDJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the TLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITDJ 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ITDJ	TLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	0.51	+1.77
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	1.32	0.26	+1.06

Drawdowns

ITDJ vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITDJ drawdown since its inception was -16.63%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITDJ and TLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITDJ	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.63%	-48.35%	+31.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.65%	-7.58%	-2.07%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	-40.44%	+39.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.91%	-13.82%	+11.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	3.04%	-0.86%

Volatility

ITDJ vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison

iShares LifePath Target Date 2070 ETF (ITDJ) has a higher volatility of 3.90% compared to iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) at 2.76%. This indicates that ITDJ'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.

Volatility by Period

	ITDJ	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.90%	2.76%	+1.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.29%	6.50%	+3.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.78%	9.77%	+3.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	15.87%	+0.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.18%	14.91%	+1.27%

ITDJ vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITDJ has a 0.12% 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

ITDJ vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison

ITDJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than TLT's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITDJ iShares LifePath Target Date 2070 ETF	1.25%	1.40%	0.82%	0.00%	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

Can I hold both ITDJ and TLT in my portfolio?

ITDJ and TLT have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITDJ or TLT?

ITDJ has higher volatility (3.90%) compared to TLT (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITDJ dropped -16.63% vs TLT's -48.35%.

Which ETF is better, ITDJ or TLT?

On 1-year performance, ITDJ leads with 29.01% vs 4.93% for TLT. On fees, ITDJ is cheaper at 0.12% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, ITDJ or TLT?

Over the 1-year period, ITDJ has performed better with a 29.01% return vs 4.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITDJ or TLT?

ITDJ is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for TLT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ITDJ or TLT?

TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 1.25% for ITDJ.

What is the main difference between ITDJ and TLT?

ITDJ is categorized as Target Retirement Date, while TLT is Government Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for ITDJ and 0.15% for TLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITDJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 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.