IUSB vs. VYM
IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IUSB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IUSB returned 1.89%/yr vs 12.00%/yr for VYM. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IUSB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.
Performance
IUSB vs. VYM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IUSB achieves a 0.54% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 11.70% return. Over the past 10 years, IUSB has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 1.89%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 12.00% annualized return.
IUSB
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- 0.57%
- YTD
- 0.54%
- 6M
- 0.62%
- 1Y
- 4.82%
- 3Y*
- 4.47%
- 5Y*
- 0.40%
- 10Y*
- 1.89%
VYM
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- 0.42%
- YTD
- 11.70%
- 6M
- 11.13%
- 1Y
- 25.24%
- 3Y*
- 18.48%
- 5Y*
- 12.10%
- 10Y*
- 12.00%
IUSB vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.54% | 7.38% | 2.11% | 6.23% | -13.04% | -1.33% | 7.62% | 9.13% | -0.27% | 3.82% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 11.70% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 16.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between IUSB and VYM is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 |
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 | 0.03 |
Over the past year, IUSB and VYM have become more correlated (0.36) than their long-term average of 0.03, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
IUSB vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
IUSB
VYM
IUSB vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.44 | -0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.92 | 3.79 | -1.87 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.54 | 14.09 | -8.56 |
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Drawdowns
IUSB vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IUSB drawdown since its inception was -17.90%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSB and VYM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IUSB | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.90% | -56.98% | +39.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.53% | -6.69% | +4.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.82% | -14.46% | +8.64% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.87% | -15.84% | -2.03% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.90% | -35.21% | +17.31% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.22% | -1.12% | -0.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.58% | -7.18% | +3.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.87% | 1.80% | -0.93% |
Volatility
IUSB vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) is 1.08%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 3.02%. This indicates that IUSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IUSB | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.08% | 3.02% | -1.94% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.73% | 7.64% | -4.91% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.59% | 10.41% | -6.82% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.80% | 13.93% | -8.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.05% | 16.35% | -11.30% |
IUSB vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
IUSB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% 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. VYM - Dividend Comparison
IUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.23%, more than VYM's 2.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.29% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IUSB and VYM have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VYM has higher volatility (3.02%) compared to IUSB (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUSB dropped -17.90% vs VYM's -56.98%.
On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 12.00% vs 1.89% for IUSB. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IUSB has been the lower-risk option at 1.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 12.00% return vs 1.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for IUSB.
IUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.23%, compared with 2.29% for VYM.
IUSB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while VYM is Dividend. IUSB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IUSB and 0.04% for VYM.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 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.
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