IXJ vs. TLT
IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXJ is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) 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, IXJ returned 8.54%/yr vs -1.74%/yr for TLT. At a correlation of -0.16, they often move in opposite directions. IXJ charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.
Performance
IXJ vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXJ achieves a -1.76% return, which is significantly lower than TLT's 0.77% return. Over the past 10 years, IXJ has outperformed TLT with an annualized return of 8.54%, while TLT has yielded a comparatively lower -1.74% annualized return.
IXJ
- 1D
- 1.45%
- 1M
- 0.89%
- YTD
- -1.76%
- 6M
- -1.97%
- 1Y
- 13.71%
- 3Y*
- 5.44%
- 5Y*
- 4.16%
- 10Y*
- 8.54%
TLT
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 2.20%
- YTD
- 0.77%
- 6M
- 0.38%
- 1Y
- 3.87%
- 3Y*
- -1.89%
- 5Y*
- -6.59%
- 10Y*
- -1.74%
IXJ vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | -1.76% | 14.99% | 0.55% | 3.62% | -4.94% | 19.60% | 12.74% | 23.23% | 2.83% | 20.44% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 0.77% | 4.25% | -8.05% | 2.77% | -31.23% | -4.60% | 18.15% | 14.12% | -1.61% | 9.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXJ and TLT is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2002 | -0.16 |
The correlation between IXJ and TLT shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (all time) to 0.32 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IXJ vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank
IXJ
TLT
IXJ vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) 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.
| IXJ | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.83 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.07 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.28 | 0.51 | +0.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.02 | 1.22 | +1.80 |
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Drawdowns
IXJ vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXJ drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXJ and TLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXJ | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.60% | -48.35% | +7.75% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.78% | -7.58% | -3.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.14% | -19.18% | +1.04% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.14% | -43.70% | +25.56% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.35% | -48.35% | +21.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.93% | -39.82% | +33.89% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.92% | -13.87% | +6.95% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.56% | 3.18% | +1.38% |
Volatility
IXJ vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) has a higher volatility of 5.06% compared to iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) at 2.20%. This indicates that IXJ'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
| IXJ | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.06% | 2.20% | +2.86% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.49% | 6.62% | +3.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.87% | 9.48% | +5.39% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.28% | 15.82% | -1.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.67% | 14.88% | +0.79% |
IXJ vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXJ has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
IXJ vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
IXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, less than TLT's 4.54% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | 1.52% | 1.40% | 1.50% | 1.38% | 1.17% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.42% | 2.11% | 1.46% | 1.73% | 2.85% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 4.54% | 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
IXJ and TLT have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IXJ has higher volatility (5.06%) compared to TLT (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXJ dropped -40.60% vs TLT's -48.35%.
On 10-year performance, IXJ leads with 8.54% vs -1.74% for TLT. On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, TLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IXJ has performed better with a 8.54% return vs -1.74%. 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 IXJ.
TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.54%, compared with 1.52% for IXJ.
IXJ is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while TLT is Government Bonds. IXJ tracks S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) Capped Index, while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXJ and 0.15% for TLT.
IXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs 0.41), 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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