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IUSB vs. NUSA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IUSB vs. NUSA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) and NUSA (Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IUSB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while NUSA is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond (1-5 Y). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IUSB returned 0.44%/yr vs 1.51%/yr for NUSA. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IUSB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for NUSA.

Performance

IUSB vs. NUSA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) and Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA). 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 NUSA's 0.39% 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%

NUSA

1D
0.00%
1M
0.22%
YTD
0.39%
6M
0.55%
1Y
3.68%
3Y*
4.34%
5Y*
1.51%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IUSB vs. NUSA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IUSB
iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF		0.43%7.38%2.11%6.23%-13.04%-1.33%7.62%9.13%-0.27%2.59%
NUSA
Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF		0.39%5.89%3.52%5.19%-5.91%-1.04%4.85%5.62%1.40%1.00%

Correlation

The correlation between IUSB and NUSA is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.83

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.80

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.83

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2017

0.69

The correlation between IUSB and NUSA shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (all time) to 0.83 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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

Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

Often compared with IUSB:
IUSB vs. BNDIUSB vs. AGGIUSB vs. FBNDIUSB vs. IAGGIUSB vs. ICSHIUSB vs. IXUSIUSB vs. FLOT
Often compared with NUSA:
NUSA vs. LQDINUSA vs. FLOTNUSA vs. JEPINUSA vs. AGGNUSA vs. VGITNUSA vs. PIMIXNUSA vs. JPIE

Return for Risk

IUSB vs. NUSA — 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
NUSA
NUSA Risk / Return Rank: 6363
Overall Rank
NUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
NUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
NUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
NUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 5959
Calmar Ratio Rank
NUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
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. NUSA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) and Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA). 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.

IUSBNUSADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.54
2.03

-0.49

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.30
3.22

-0.92

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.40

-0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.20

2.88

-0.68

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.68

10.19

-3.51

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. NUSA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IUSB Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is comparable to the NUSA Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IUSB and NUSA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IUSBNUSADifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.54

2.03

-0.49

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.08

0.54

-0.47

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

0.82

-0.36

Drawdowns

IUSB vs. NUSA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IUSB drawdown since its inception was -17.90%, which is greater than NUSA's maximum drawdown of -9.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSB and NUSA.

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Drawdown Indicators

IUSBNUSADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-17.90%

-9.44%

-8.46%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.53%

-1.28%

-1.25%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-5.82%

-1.62%

-4.20%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.87%

-9.44%

-8.43%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-17.90%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.33%

-0.55%

-0.78%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.59%

-1.65%

-1.94%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.83%

0.36%

+0.47%

Volatility

IUSB vs. NUSA - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) has a higher volatility of 1.24% compared to Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA) at 0.66%. This indicates that IUSB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUSA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IUSBNUSADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.24%

0.66%

+0.58%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.62%

1.33%

+1.29%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.62%

1.82%

+1.80%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

5.79%

2.80%

+2.99%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.04%

2.72%

+2.32%

IUSB vs. NUSA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IUSB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than NUSA'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

IUSB vs. NUSA - Dividend Comparison

IUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.23%, more than NUSA's 3.86% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
NUSA
Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF		3.86%3.83%3.93%3.54%2.44%2.16%2.51%2.85%3.22%2.20%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

IUSB and NUSA have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IUSB has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to NUSA (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUSB dropped -17.90% vs NUSA's -9.44%.

On 5-year performance, NUSA leads with 1.51% vs 0.44% for IUSB. On fees, IUSB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, NUSA has been the lower-risk option at 0.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, NUSA has performed better with a 1.51% return vs 0.44%. 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 0.15% for NUSA.

IUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.23%, compared with 3.86% for NUSA.

IUSB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while NUSA is Short-Term Bond. IUSB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while NUSA tracks ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond (1-5 Y). They also come from different issuers: iShares and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IUSB and 0.15% for NUSA.

NUSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.54), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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