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IUSB vs. XLU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IUSB vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IUSB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IUSB returned 1.97%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for XLU. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IUSB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

IUSB vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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 XLU's 5.04% return. Over the past 10 years, IUSB has underperformed XLU with an annualized return of 1.97%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.20% 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%

XLU

1D
1.09%
1M
-0.31%
YTD
5.04%
6M
5.48%
1Y
11.85%
3Y*
13.79%
5Y*
9.41%
10Y*
9.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IUSB vs. XLU - 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%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		5.04%16.03%23.31%-7.18%1.44%17.70%0.51%25.93%3.94%12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IUSB and XLU is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.26

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

0.30

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

0.29

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

0.27

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

0.25

IUSB vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IUSB
XLU

Energy

100.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

100.0%

Energy

IUSB
100.0%
XLU

-

Basic Materials

IUSB

-

XLU

-

Communication Services

IUSB

-

XLU

-

Consumer Cyclical

IUSB

-

XLU

-

Consumer Defensive

IUSB

-

XLU

-

Financial Services

IUSB

-

XLU

-

Healthcare

IUSB

-

XLU

-

Industrials

IUSB

-

XLU

-

Real Estate

IUSB

-

XLU

-

Technology

IUSB

-

XLU

-

Utilities

IUSB

-

XLU
100.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF

Often compared with IUSB:
IUSB vs. BNDIUSB vs. AGGIUSB vs. FBNDIUSB vs. IAGGIUSB vs. ICSHIUSB vs. IXUSIUSB vs. FLOT
Often compared with XLU:
XLU vs. VPUXLU vs. XLEXLU vs. XLPXLU vs. SPYXLU vs. FUTYXLU vs. UTESXLU vs. IDU

Return for Risk

IUSB vs. XLU — 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
XLU
XLU Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 2424
Omega Ratio Rank
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3030
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
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. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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.

IUSBXLUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.35
0.81

+0.54

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.02
1.18

+0.84

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.15

+0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.92

1.30

+0.62

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.62

2.80

+2.82

IUSB vs. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IUSB Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IUSB and XLU, 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. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IUSB drawdown since its inception was -17.90%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IUSB and XLU.

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Drawdown Indicators

IUSBXLUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-17.90%

-51.98%

+34.08%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.53%

-9.18%

+6.65%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-5.82%

-17.26%

+11.44%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.87%

-25.26%

+7.39%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-17.90%

-36.07%

+18.17%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.09%

-6.05%

+4.96%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.58%

-10.22%

+6.64%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.86%

4.25%

-3.39%

Volatility

IUSB vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) is 1.30%, while State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has a volatility of 5.59%. This indicates that IUSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IUSBXLUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.30%

5.59%

-4.29%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.69%

11.68%

-8.99%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.59%

14.66%

-11.07%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

5.80%

17.34%

-11.54%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.04%

19.27%

-14.23%

IUSB vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IUSB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than XLU's 0.08% 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. XLU - Dividend Comparison

IUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.22%, more than XLU's 2.67% 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%
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.67%2.71%2.96%3.39%2.92%2.79%3.14%2.95%3.33%3.33%3.41%3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

IUSB and XLU have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

XLU has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to IUSB (1.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IUSB dropped -17.90% vs XLU's -51.98%.

On 10-year performance, XLU leads with 9.20% vs 1.97% for IUSB. On fees, IUSB is cheaper at 0.06% 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, XLU has performed better with a 9.20% return vs 1.97%. 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 0.08% for XLU.

IUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.22%, compared with 2.67% for XLU.

IUSB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while XLU is Utilities Equities. IUSB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IUSB and 0.08% for XLU.

IUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 0.81), 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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