IXC vs. TLT
IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXC returned 10.52%/yr vs -2.38%/yr for TLT. Their -0.27 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.
Performance
IXC vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXC achieves a 34.71% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -3.49% return. Over the past 10 years, IXC has outperformed TLT with an annualized return of 10.52%, while TLT has yielded a comparatively lower -2.38% annualized return.
IXC
- 1D
- 0.63%
- 1M
- 13.16%
- 6M
- 19.17%
- YTD
- 34.71%
- 1Y
- 45.16%
- 3Y*
- 16.60%
- 5Y*
- 22.34%
- 10Y*
- 10.52%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.52%
TLT
- 1D
- -0.66%
- 1M
- -3.81%
- 6M
- -3.46%
- YTD
- -3.49%
- 1Y
- -2.45%
- 3Y*
- -1.80%
- 5Y*
- -8.18%
- 10Y*
- -2.38%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.47%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40.96M | $62.51M | $57.88M | |
| $2.33B | $2.02B | $2.19B |
IXC vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 34.71% | 13.98% | 1.95% | 3.92% | 48.51% | 40.88% | -31.00% | 12.67% | -14.85% | 5.54% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | -3.49% | 4.25% | -8.05% | 2.77% | -31.23% | -4.60% | 18.15% | 14.12% | -1.61% | 9.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXC and TLT is -0.25, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.08 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.12 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2002 | -0.27 |
The correlation between IXC and TLT shifts across timeframes, from -0.27 (all time) to -0.08 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IXC vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank
IXC
TLT
IXC vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) 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.
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.
| IXC | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.92 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 0.99 | +0.37 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.83 | -0.14 | +2.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.78 | -0.30 | +9.08 |
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Drawdowns
IXC vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, which is greater than TLT's maximum drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and TLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXC | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.88% | -48.35% | -19.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.36% | -7.74% | -7.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.06% | -14.79% | -4.27% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.93% | -43.70% | +18.77% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -64.16% | -48.35% | -15.81% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.05% | -42.36% | +39.31% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.42% | -13.99% | -3.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.95% | 3.57% | +1.38% |
Volatility
IXC vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) has a higher volatility of 6.07% compared to iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) at 2.46%. This indicates that IXC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IXC | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.07% | 2.46% | +3.61% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.03% | 6.85% | +9.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.61% | 9.32% | +10.29% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.37% | 15.74% | +7.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.82% | 14.83% | +11.99% |
IXC vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
IXC vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, less than TLT's 4.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 2.82% | 3.68% | 4.56% | 3.45% | 4.76% | 3.98% | 4.86% | 7.00% | 3.51% | 3.05% | 2.86% | 3.77% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 4.34% | 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
IXC and TLT have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IXC has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to TLT (2.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs TLT's -48.35%.
On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 10.52% vs -2.38% for TLT. On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, TLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IXC has performed better with a 10.52% return vs -2.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for IXC.
TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.34%, compared with 2.82% for IXC.
IXC is categorized as Energy Equities, while TLT is Government Bonds. IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXC and 0.15% for TLT.
IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs -0.11), 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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