IUSB vs. IAGG
IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) and IAGG (iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IUSB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while IAGG is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IUSB returned 1.90%/yr vs 2.14%/yr for IAGG. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IUSB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IAGG.
Performance
IUSB vs. IAGG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IUSB achieves a 0.28% return, which is significantly lower than IAGG's 0.86% return. Over the past 10 years, IUSB has underperformed IAGG with an annualized return of 1.90%, while IAGG has yielded a comparatively higher 2.14% annualized return.
IUSB
- 1D
- 0.24%
- 1M
- -0.43%
- YTD
- 0.28%
- 6M
- 0.70%
- 1Y
- 5.33%
- 3Y*
- 4.49%
- 5Y*
- 0.30%
- 10Y*
- 1.90%
IAGG
- 1D
- 0.14%
- 1M
- -0.04%
- YTD
- 0.86%
- 6M
- 1.03%
- 1Y
- 2.24%
- 3Y*
- 4.60%
- 5Y*
- 1.06%
- 10Y*
- 2.14%
IUSB vs. IAGG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.28% | 7.38% | 2.11% | 6.23% | -13.04% | -1.33% | 7.62% | 9.13% | -0.27% | 3.82% |
IAGG iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.86% | 3.26% | 4.51% | 8.49% | -10.86% | -1.87% | 4.63% | 7.99% | 3.38% | 2.09% |
Correlation
The correlation between IUSB and IAGG is 0.78, 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 | 0.78 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2015 | 0.70 |
The correlation between IUSB and IAGG shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (all time) to 0.81 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IUSB vs. IAGG — Risk / Return Rank
IUSB
IAGG
IUSB vs. IAGG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) and iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG). 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.
| IUSB | IAGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.71 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.14 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.12 | 0.97 | +1.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.28 | 2.87 | +3.41 |
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
| IUSB | IAGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.50 | 0.79 | +0.71 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.05 | 0.24 | -0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.38 | 0.53 | -0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.46 | 0.61 | -0.16 |
Drawdowns
IUSB vs. IAGG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IUSB drawdown since its inception was -17.90%, which is greater than IAGG's maximum drawdown of -13.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSB and IAGG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IUSB | IAGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.90% | -13.88% | -4.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.53% | -2.32% | -0.21% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.82% | -2.32% | -3.50% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.87% | -13.57% | -4.30% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.90% | -13.88% | -4.02% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.48% | -1.04% | -0.44% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.59% | -2.84% | -0.75% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.85% | 0.78% | +0.07% |
Volatility
IUSB vs. IAGG - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) has a higher volatility of 1.22% compared to iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) at 1.07%. This indicates that IUSB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAGG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IUSB | IAGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.22% | 1.07% | +0.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.65% | 2.41% | +0.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.57% | 2.84% | +0.73% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.80% | 4.51% | +1.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.04% | 4.05% | +0.99% |
IUSB vs. IAGG - Expense Ratio Comparison
IUSB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than IAGG's 0.07% 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
IUSB vs. IAGG - Dividend Comparison
IUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.24%, more than IAGG's 3.66% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAGG iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF | 3.66% | 3.08% | 4.28% | 3.55% | 2.27% | 1.16% | 1.95% | 2.82% | 3.02% | 1.74% | 1.56% | 0.13% |
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 4.24% | 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
IUSB and IAGG have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IUSB has higher volatility (1.22%) compared to IAGG (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUSB dropped -17.90% vs IAGG's -13.88%.
On 10-year performance, IAGG leads with 2.14% vs 1.90% for IUSB. On fees, IUSB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IAGG has been the lower-risk option at 1.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IAGG has performed better with a 2.14% return vs 1.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IUSB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IAGG.
IUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.24%, compared with 3.66% for IAGG.
IUSB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while IAGG is Global Bonds. IUSB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while IAGG tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IUSB and 0.07% for IAGG.
IUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 0.79), 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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