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IUSB vs. VBR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IUSB vs. VBR

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IUSB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IUSB returned 1.97%/yr vs 10.99%/yr for VBR. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IUSB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

IUSB vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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 0.67% return, which is significantly lower than VBR's 14.60% return. Over the past 10 years, IUSB has underperformed VBR with an annualized return of 1.97%, while VBR has yielded a comparatively higher 10.99% annualized return.

IUSB

1D
-0.07%
1M
0.46%
YTD
0.67%
6M
1.05%
1Y
4.82%
3Y*
4.70%
5Y*
0.39%
10Y*
1.97%

VBR

1D
0.87%
1M
4.91%
YTD
14.60%
6M
12.92%
1Y
27.94%
3Y*
16.09%
5Y*
8.36%
10Y*
10.99%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IUSB vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IUSB
iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF		0.67%7.38%2.11%6.23%-13.04%-1.33%7.62%9.13%-0.27%3.82%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		14.60%9.09%12.40%16.00%-9.38%28.08%5.90%22.78%-12.28%11.81%

Correlation

The correlation between IUSB and VBR is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.40

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

0.31

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

0.21

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.06

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2014

0.04

Over the past year, IUSB and VBR have become more correlated (0.40) than their long-term average of 0.04, meaning their price movements have been converging.

IUSB vs. VBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IUSB
VBR

Energy

100.0%
5.2%

Basic Materials

-

6.3%

Communication Services

-

2.5%

Consumer Cyclical

-

12.4%

Consumer Defensive

-

4.0%

Financial Services

-

17.6%

Healthcare

-

7.9%

Industrials

-

18.1%

Real Estate

-

10.1%

Technology

-

10.6%

Utilities

-

4.8%

Energy

IUSB
100.0%
VBR
5.2%

Basic Materials

IUSB

-

VBR
6.3%

Communication Services

IUSB

-

VBR
2.5%

Consumer Cyclical

IUSB

-

VBR
12.4%

Consumer Defensive

IUSB

-

VBR
4.0%

Financial Services

IUSB

-

VBR
17.6%

Healthcare

IUSB

-

VBR
7.9%

Industrials

IUSB

-

VBR
18.1%

Real Estate

IUSB

-

VBR
10.1%

Technology

IUSB

-

VBR
10.6%

Utilities

IUSB

-

VBR
4.8%

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 Small-Cap Value ETF

Often compared with IUSB:
IUSB vs. BNDIUSB vs. AGGIUSB vs. FBNDIUSB vs. IAGGIUSB vs. ICSHIUSB vs. IXUSIUSB vs. FLOT
Often compared with VBR:
VBR vs. AVUVVBR vs. VBVBR vs. VBKVBR vs. VOOVBR vs. VTIVBR vs. VIOVVBR vs. VSIAX

Return for Risk

IUSB vs. VBR — 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: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 4545
Sortino Ratio Rank
IUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 4242
Omega Ratio Rank
IUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
IUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 4040
Martin Ratio Rank
VBR
VBR Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6464
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 5959
Omega Ratio Rank
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 7272
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
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. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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.

IUSBVBRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.35
1.83

-0.47

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.02
2.67

-0.65

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.31

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.92

3.17

-1.25

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.62

11.22

-5.60

IUSB vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IUSB Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is comparable to the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IUSB and VBR, 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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Drawdowns

IUSB vs. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IUSB drawdown since its inception was -17.90%, smaller than the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSB and VBR.

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Drawdown Indicators

IUSBVBRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-17.90%

-61.98%

+44.08%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.53%

-8.85%

+6.32%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-5.82%

-24.19%

+18.37%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.87%

-24.19%

+6.32%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-17.90%

-45.28%

+27.38%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.09%

0.00%

-1.09%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.58%

-8.26%

+4.68%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.86%

2.50%

-1.64%

Volatility

IUSB vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) is 1.30%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) has a volatility of 4.43%. This indicates that IUSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IUSBVBRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.30%

4.43%

-3.13%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.69%

10.65%

-7.96%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.59%

15.36%

-11.77%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

5.80%

19.79%

-13.99%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.04%

21.74%

-16.70%

IUSB vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IUSB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VBR'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. VBR - Dividend Comparison

IUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.22%, more than VBR's 1.71% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IUSB
iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF		4.22%4.17%4.04%3.46%2.53%1.74%2.68%3.04%2.98%2.56%2.60%1.95%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		1.71%1.95%1.98%2.12%2.03%1.75%1.68%2.06%2.35%1.79%1.77%1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

IUSB and VBR have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VBR has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to IUSB (1.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUSB dropped -17.90% vs VBR's -61.98%.

On 10-year performance, VBR leads with 10.99% vs 1.97% for IUSB. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IUSB has been the lower-risk option at 1.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VBR has performed better with a 10.99% return vs 1.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

IUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.22%, compared with 1.71% for VBR.

IUSB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while VBR is Small Cap Value Equities. IUSB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IUSB and 0.05% for VBR.

VBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.35), 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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