LDRT vs. MGOV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

LDRT (iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF) and MGOV (First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. LDRT is passively managed, while MGOV is actively managed. Over the past year, LDRT returned 2.63% vs 2.59% for MGOV. Their 0.61 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. LDRT charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for MGOV.

Performance

LDRT vs. MGOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF (LDRT) and First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF (MGOV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDRT achieves a 0.73% return, which is significantly higher than MGOV's -0.74% return.

LDRT

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -0.32%
• 6M: 0.65%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 1Y: 2.63%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.89%

MGOV

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -1.49%
• 6M: -1.27%
• YTD: -0.74%
• 1Y: 2.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.60%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
LDRT iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF	$7.94M	$4.70M	$2.36M
MGOV First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF	$321.85K	$589.79K	$619.98K

LDRT vs. MGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LDRT iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF	0.73%	5.55%	0.44%
MGOV First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF	-0.74%	8.54%	-0.86%

Correlation

The correlation between LDRT and MGOV is 0.58, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2024	0.61

The correlation between LDRT and MGOV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LDRT vs. MGOV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

LDRT

LDRT Risk / Return Rank: 56
LDRT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
LDRT Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
LDRT Omega Ratio Rank: 49
LDRT Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
LDRT Martin Ratio Rank: 61

MGOV

MGOV Risk / Return Rank: 31
MGOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
MGOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
MGOV Omega Ratio Rank: 30
MGOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
MGOV Martin Ratio Rank: 29

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

LDRT vs. MGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF (LDRT) and First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF (MGOV). 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.

	LDRT	MGOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	0.81	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.67	1.20	+0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.14	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	1.02	+1.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.38	2.48	+4.90

LDRT vs. MGOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDRT Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is higher than the MGOV Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDRT and MGOV, 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

LDRT vs. MGOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDRT drawdown since its inception was -1.11%, smaller than the maximum MGOV drawdown of -6.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDRT and MGOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDRT	MGOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.11%	-6.11%	+5.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.11%	-3.53%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-6.11%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-3.28%	+2.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.33%	-1.65%	+1.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.44%	1.44%	-1.00%

Volatility

LDRT vs. MGOV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF (LDRT) is 0.97%, while First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF (MGOV) has a volatility of 1.18%. This indicates that LDRT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MGOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LDRT	MGOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.97%	1.18%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.82%	3.41%	-1.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.90%	4.42%	-1.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.79%	5.87%	-3.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.79%	5.87%	-3.08%

LDRT vs. MGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDRT has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than MGOV's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

LDRT vs. MGOV - Dividend Comparison

LDRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.07%, less than MGOV's 4.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
LDRT iShares iBonds 1-5 Year Treasury Ladder ETF	4.07%	3.86%	0.69%	0.00%
MGOV First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF	4.96%	4.95%	5.05%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDRT and MGOV in my portfolio?

LDRT and MGOV have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LDRT or MGOV?

MGOV has higher volatility (1.18%) compared to LDRT (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDRT dropped -1.11% vs MGOV's -6.11%.

Which ETF is better, LDRT or MGOV?

On 1-year performance, LDRT leads with 2.63% vs 2.59% for MGOV. On fees, LDRT is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, LDRT has been the lower-risk option at 0.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LDRT or MGOV?

Over the 1-year period, LDRT has performed better with a 2.63% return vs 2.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LDRT or MGOV?

LDRT is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for MGOV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LDRT or MGOV?

MGOV has the higher dividend yield at 4.96%, compared with 4.07% for LDRT.

What is the main difference between LDRT and MGOV?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for LDRT and 0.65% for MGOV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LDRT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs 0.81), 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.