IUSB vs. IMTB
IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) and IMTB (iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds from iShares - IUSB tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index while IMTB tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal 5-10 Years Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IUSB returned -0.01%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for IMTB. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.06% expense ratio.
Performance
IUSB vs. IMTB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IUSB achieves a -0.29% return, which is significantly higher than IMTB's -0.69% return.
IUSB
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- -1.11%
- 6M
- -0.52%
- YTD
- -0.29%
- 1Y
- 2.26%
- 3Y*
- 4.42%
- 5Y*
- -0.01%
- 10Y*
- 1.70%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.13%
IMTB
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -1.14%
- 6M
- -0.85%
- YTD
- -0.69%
- 1Y
- 2.82%
- 3Y*
- 4.69%
- 5Y*
- 0.15%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 1.76%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.15M | $1.45M | $1.46M | |
| $142.04M | $149.14M | $266.40M |
IUSB vs. IMTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | -0.29% | 7.38% | 2.11% | 6.23% | -13.04% | -1.33% | 7.62% | 9.13% | -0.27% | 3.82% |
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | -0.69% | 8.88% | 1.94% | 6.10% | -12.75% | -1.41% | 6.25% | 8.62% | -0.45% | 4.88% |
Correlation
The correlation between IUSB and IMTB is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.92 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2016 | 0.82 |
The correlation between IUSB and IMTB shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (all time) to 0.94 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IUSB vs. IMTB — Risk / Return Rank
IUSB
IMTB
IUSB vs. IMTB - 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 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| IUSB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.15 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.22 | 1.27 | -0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.12 | 3.27 | -0.15 |
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Drawdowns
IUSB vs. IMTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IUSB drawdown since its inception was -17.90%, roughly equal to the maximum IMTB drawdown of -18.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSB and IMTB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IUSB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.90% | -18.15% | +0.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.53% | -2.86% | +0.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.81% | -5.83% | +1.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.87% | -18.05% | +0.18% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.90% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.03% | -2.40% | +0.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.56% | -4.09% | +0.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.98% | 1.11% | -0.13% |
Volatility
IUSB vs. IMTB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) is 0.92%, while iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) has a volatility of 1.10%. This indicates that IUSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IMTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IUSB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.92% | 1.10% | -0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.82% | 3.29% | -0.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.55% | 4.13% | -0.58% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.80% | 6.32% | -0.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.04% | 5.17% | -0.13% |
IUSB vs. IMTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both IUSB and IMTB have an expense ratio of 0.06%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
IUSB vs. IMTB - Dividend Comparison
IUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%, less than IMTB's 4.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 4.18% | 4.40% | 4.42% | 4.13% | 2.90% | 2.49% | 2.63% | 2.91% | 3.04% | 2.75% | 0.40% | 0.00% |
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 3.92% | 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 0.92, IUSB and IMTB 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.
IMTB has higher volatility (1.10%) compared to IUSB (0.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUSB dropped -17.90% vs IMTB's -18.15%.
On 5-year performance, IMTB leads with 0.15% vs -0.01% for IUSB. Both ETFs have the same 0.06% expense ratio. On volatility, IUSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IMTB has performed better with a 0.15% return vs -0.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IUSB and IMTB have the same expense ratio: 0.06% per year.
IMTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.18%, compared with 3.92% for IUSB.
IUSB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while IMTB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal 5-10 Years Index.
IMTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.88 vs 0.87), 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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