IVVB vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IVVB (iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IVVB is a Options Trading fund actively managed by iShares, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. IVVB is actively managed, while TLT is passively managed. Over the past year, IVVB returned 14.57% vs 4.93% for TLT. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IVVB charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.

Performance

IVVB vs. TLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF (IVVB) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IVVB achieves a 4.57% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -0.27% return.

IVVB

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 1.91%
• YTD: 4.57%
• 6M: 4.37%
• 1Y: 14.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TLT

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: -0.27%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 4.93%
• 3Y*: -1.80%
• 5Y*: -6.31%
• 10Y*: -1.66%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IVVB vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IVVB iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF	4.57%	9.60%	18.66%	2.60%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	-0.27%	4.25%	-8.05%	-1.87%

Correlation

The correlation between IVVB and TLT is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 3, 2023	0.15

Return for Risk

IVVB vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IVVB

IVVB Risk / Return Rank: 58
IVVB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IVVB Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
IVVB Omega Ratio Rank: 63
IVVB Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
IVVB Martin Ratio Rank: 61

TLT

TLT Risk / Return Rank: 16
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

IVVB vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF (IVVB) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.

	IVVB	TLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	0.51	+1.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	0.80	+2.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.09	+0.30
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	0.65	+1.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.94	1.63	+9.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IVVB vs. TLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVVB Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is higher than the TLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVVB and TLT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IVVB	TLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	0.51	+1.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.31	0.26	+1.05

Drawdowns

IVVB vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVVB drawdown since its inception was -13.08%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVVB and TLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVVB	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.08%	-48.35%	+35.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.75%	-7.58%	+1.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-43.70%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-40.44%	+40.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.61%	-13.82%	+12.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.34%	3.04%	-1.70%

Volatility

IVVB vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF (IVVB) is 0.74%, while iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has a volatility of 2.76%. This indicates that IVVB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IVVB	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.74%	2.76%	-2.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.49%	6.50%	-1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.27%	9.77%	-2.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.28%	15.87%	-6.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.28%	14.91%	-5.63%

IVVB vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVVB has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

IVVB vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison

IVVB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, less than TLT's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVVB iShares Large Cap Deep Buffer ETF	1.17%	1.22%	0.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	4.59%	4.43%	4.30%	3.38%	2.67%	1.50%	1.50%	2.27%	2.63%	2.43%	2.60%	2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVVB and TLT in my portfolio?

IVVB and TLT have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IVVB or TLT?

TLT has higher volatility (2.76%) compared to IVVB (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVVB dropped -13.08% vs TLT's -48.35%.

Which ETF is better, IVVB or TLT?

On 1-year performance, IVVB leads with 14.57% vs 4.93% for TLT. On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, IVVB has been the lower-risk option at 0.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVVB or TLT?

Over the 1-year period, IVVB has performed better with a 14.57% return vs 4.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVVB or TLT?

TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for IVVB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IVVB or TLT?

TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 1.17% for IVVB.

What is the main difference between IVVB and TLT?

IVVB is categorized as Options Trading, while TLT is Government Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for IVVB and 0.15% for TLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVVB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 0.51), 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.