LDRC vs. USTB

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

LDRC (iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Corporate Ladder ETF) and USTB (VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds - LDRC tracks the BlackRock iBonds 1-5 Year Corporate Ladder Index while USTB tracks the Bloomberg 1–3 Year Credit Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, LDRC returned 4.49% vs 4.53% for USTB. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LDRC charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for USTB.

Performance

LDRC vs. USTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Corporate Ladder ETF (LDRC) and VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDRC achieves a 0.80% return, which is significantly lower than USTB's 1.07% return.

LDRC

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 0.80%
• 6M: 1.31%
• 1Y: 4.49%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USTB

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 1.07%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 4.53%
• 3Y*: 6.07%
• 5Y*: 3.48%
• 10Y*: —

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

LDRC vs. USTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LDRC iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Corporate Ladder ETF	0.80%	6.33%	0.37%
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF	1.07%	6.08%	0.60%

Correlation

The correlation between LDRC and USTB is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2024	0.60

The correlation between LDRC and USTB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LDRC vs. USTB — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDRC

LDRC Risk / Return Rank: 75
LDRC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
LDRC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
LDRC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
LDRC Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
LDRC Martin Ratio Rank: 73

USTB

USTB Risk / Return Rank: 94
USTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
USTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
USTB Omega Ratio Rank: 97
USTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
USTB Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

LDRC vs. USTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Corporate Ladder ETF (LDRC) and VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB). 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.

	LDRC	USTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	3.76	-1.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	6.28	-3.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.83	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.52	5.38	-0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	24.56	-11.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LDRC vs. USTB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDRC Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is lower than the USTB Sharpe Ratio of 3.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDRC and USTB, 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

	LDRC	USTB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	3.76	-1.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.92	1.72	+0.19

Drawdowns

LDRC vs. USTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDRC drawdown since its inception was -1.00%, smaller than the maximum USTB drawdown of -5.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDRC and USTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDRC	USTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.00%	-5.32%	+4.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.00%	-0.84%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.02%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-4.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-0.16%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.26%	-0.66%	+0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.35%	0.18%	+0.17%

Volatility

LDRC vs. USTB - Volatility Comparison

iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Corporate Ladder ETF (LDRC) has a higher volatility of 0.44% compared to VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) at 0.35%. This indicates that LDRC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LDRC	USTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.44%	0.35%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.49%	0.85%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.24%	1.22%	+1.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.51%	2.01%	+0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.51%	2.01%	+0.50%

LDRC vs. USTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDRC has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than USTB's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

LDRC vs. USTB - Dividend Comparison

LDRC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.22%, less than USTB's 4.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LDRC iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Corporate Ladder ETF	4.22%	4.22%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF	4.58%	4.62%	5.05%	4.49%	2.54%	1.84%	2.59%	2.69%	2.32%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDRC and USTB in my portfolio?

LDRC and USTB have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LDRC or USTB?

LDRC has higher volatility (0.44%) compared to USTB (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDRC dropped -1.00% vs USTB's -5.32%.

Which ETF is better, LDRC or USTB?

On 1-year performance, USTB leads with 4.53% vs 4.49% for LDRC. On fees, LDRC is cheaper at 0.10% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LDRC or USTB?

Over the 1-year period, USTB has performed better with a 4.53% return vs 4.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LDRC or USTB?

LDRC is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for USTB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LDRC or USTB?

USTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 4.22% for LDRC.

What is the main difference between LDRC and USTB?

LDRC tracks BlackRock iBonds 1-5 Year Corporate Ladder Index, while USTB tracks Bloomberg 1–3 Year Credit Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Victory. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for LDRC and 0.34% for USTB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.76 vs 2.02), 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.