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IUSB vs. BNDP
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IUSB vs. BNDP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) and BNDP (Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds - IUSB tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index while BNDP tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IUSB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for BNDP.

Performance

IUSB vs. BNDP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF (BNDP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IUSB achieves a 0.43% return, which is significantly higher than BNDP's 0.34% return.

IUSB

1D
-0.17%
1M
0.31%
YTD
0.43%
6M
0.31%
1Y
5.54%
3Y*
4.51%
5Y*
0.44%
10Y*
1.94%

BNDP

1D
-0.08%
1M
0.41%
YTD
0.34%
6M
—
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IUSB vs. BNDP - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025
IUSB
iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF		0.43%0.07%
BNDP
Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF		0.34%0.10%

Correlation

The correlation between IUSB and BNDP is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2025

0.97

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF

Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF

Often compared with IUSB:
IUSB vs. BNDIUSB vs. AGGIUSB vs. FBNDIUSB vs. IAGGIUSB vs. ICSHIUSB vs. IXUSIUSB vs. FLOT
Often compared with BNDP:
BNDP vs. BNDBNDP vs. BNDSBNDP vs. IMTBBNDP vs. VCITBNDP vs. NCPBBNDP vs. OACPBNDP vs. FTBFX

Return for Risk

IUSB vs. BNDP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IUSB
IUSB Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
IUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4343
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 4545
Sortino Ratio Rank
IUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
IUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 4343
Calmar Ratio Rank
IUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 4141
Martin Ratio Rank
BNDP
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.

IUSB vs. BNDP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF (BNDP). 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.

IUSBBNDPDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.54

—

—

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.30

—

—

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

—

—

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.20

—

—

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.68

—

—

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

IUSB vs. BNDP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IUSBBNDPDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.54

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.08

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.39

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.46

0.25

+0.21

Drawdowns

IUSB vs. BNDP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IUSB drawdown since its inception was -17.90%, which is greater than BNDP's maximum drawdown of -2.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSB and BNDP.

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Drawdown Indicators

IUSBBNDPDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-17.90%

-2.60%

-15.30%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.53%

—

—

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-5.82%

—

—

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.87%

—

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-17.90%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.33%

-1.31%

-0.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.59%

-0.86%

-2.73%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.83%

—

—

Volatility

IUSB vs. BNDP - Volatility Comparison

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Volatility by Period

IUSBBNDPDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.24%

—

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.62%

—

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.62%

3.63%

-0.01%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

5.79%

3.63%

+2.16%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.04%

3.63%

+1.41%

IUSB vs. BNDP - Expense Ratio Comparison

IUSB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than BNDP's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IUSB vs. BNDP - Dividend Comparison

IUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.23%, more than BNDP's 2.08% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BNDP
Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF		2.08%0.24%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
IUSB
iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF		4.23%4.17%4.04%3.46%2.53%1.74%2.68%3.04%2.98%2.56%2.60%1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.97, IUSB and BNDP move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

On fees, BNDP is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

BNDP is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for IUSB.

IUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.23%, compared with 2.08% for BNDP.

IUSB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while BNDP tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Float Adjusted Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IUSB and 0.05% for BNDP.

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