LDRI vs. BOXX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

LDRI (iShares iBonds 1-5 Year TIPS Ladder ETF) and BOXX (Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LDRI is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the BlackRock iBonds® 1-5 Year TIPS Ladder Index, while BOXX is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, LDRI returned 3.78% vs 4.02% for BOXX. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LDRI charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for BOXX.

Performance

LDRI vs. BOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds 1-5 Year TIPS Ladder ETF (LDRI) and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDRI achieves a 1.37% return, which is significantly lower than BOXX's 1.72% return.

LDRI

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 1.37%
• 6M: 1.10%
• 1Y: 3.78%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BOXX

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 1.72%
• 6M: 1.87%
• 1Y: 4.02%
• 3Y*: 4.71%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LDRI vs. BOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LDRI iShares iBonds 1-5 Year TIPS Ladder ETF	1.37%	5.94%	0.10%
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	1.72%	4.37%	0.69%

Correlation

The correlation between LDRI and BOXX is 0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2024	0.05

Return for Risk

LDRI vs. BOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDRI

LDRI Risk / Return Rank: 75
LDRI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
LDRI Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
LDRI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
LDRI Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
LDRI Martin Ratio Rank: 83

BOXX

BOXX Risk / Return Rank: 100
BOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
BOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
BOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
BOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

LDRI vs. BOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds 1-5 Year TIPS Ladder ETF (LDRI) and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX). 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.

	LDRI	BOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	12.63	-10.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	35.92	-33.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	9.07	-7.65
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.33	58.74	-52.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.42	507.08	-490.65

LDRI vs. BOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDRI Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is lower than the BOXX Sharpe Ratio of 12.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDRI and BOXX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

LDRI vs. BOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDRI drawdown since its inception was -0.85%, which is greater than BOXX's maximum drawdown of -0.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDRI and BOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDRI	BOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.85%	-0.12%	-0.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.60%	-0.07%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	0.00%	-0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.20%	-0.00%	-0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	0.01%	+0.22%

Volatility

LDRI vs. BOXX - Volatility Comparison

iShares iBonds 1-5 Year TIPS Ladder ETF (LDRI) has a higher volatility of 0.66% compared to Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) at 0.12%. This indicates that LDRI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BOXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LDRI	BOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.66%	0.12%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.48%	0.26%	+1.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96%	0.32%	+1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.29%	0.37%	+1.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.29%	0.37%	+1.92%

LDRI vs. BOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDRI has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than BOXX's 0.19% 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

LDRI vs. BOXX - Dividend Comparison

LDRI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.54%, while BOXX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%
LDRI iShares iBonds 1-5 Year TIPS Ladder ETF	3.54%	4.23%	0.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDRI and BOXX in my portfolio?

LDRI and BOXX have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LDRI or BOXX?

LDRI has higher volatility (0.66%) compared to BOXX (0.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDRI dropped -0.85% vs BOXX's -0.12%.

Which ETF is better, LDRI or BOXX?

On 1-year performance, BOXX leads with 4.02% vs 3.78% for LDRI. On fees, LDRI is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, BOXX has been the lower-risk option at 0.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LDRI or BOXX?

Over the 1-year period, BOXX has performed better with a 4.02% return vs 3.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LDRI or BOXX?

LDRI is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for BOXX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LDRI or BOXX?

LDRI has the higher dividend yield at 3.54%, compared with 0.00% for BOXX.

What is the main difference between LDRI and BOXX?

LDRI is categorized as Inflation-Protected Bonds, while BOXX is Ultrashort Bond. LDRI tracks BlackRock iBonds® 1-5 Year TIPS Ladder Index, while BOXX tracks Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for LDRI and 0.19% for BOXX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.63 vs 1.94), 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.