QLTA vs. BBCB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QLTA (iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF) and BBCB (JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - QLTA tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa - A Capped Index while BBCB tracks the Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLTA returned 0.10%/yr vs 0.84%/yr for BBCB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLTA charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for BBCB.

Performance

QLTA vs. BBCB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (BBCB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLTA achieves a 0.31% return, which is significantly lower than BBCB's 2.82% return.

QLTA

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 6M: 0.04%
• 1Y: 5.42%
• 3Y*: 4.51%
• 5Y*: 0.10%
• 10Y*: 2.00%

BBCB

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 2.82%
• 6M: 2.66%
• 1Y: 8.37%
• 3Y*: 5.98%
• 5Y*: 0.84%
• 10Y*: —

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

QLTA vs. BBCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QLTA iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF	0.31%	7.36%	1.23%	7.60%	-15.14%	-2.32%	9.62%	12.54%	0.66%
BBCB JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF	2.82%	7.69%	1.97%	8.42%	-15.72%	-2.23%	10.39%	14.86%	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between QLTA and BBCB is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2018	0.94

The correlation between QLTA and BBCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QLTA vs. BBCB — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLTA

QLTA Risk / Return Rank: 35
QLTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
QLTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
QLTA Omega Ratio Rank: 32
QLTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
QLTA Martin Ratio Rank: 36

BBCB

BBCB Risk / Return Rank: 56
BBCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
BBCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
BBCB Omega Ratio Rank: 55
BBCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
BBCB Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

QLTA vs. BBCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (BBCB). 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.

	QLTA	BBCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	1.71	-0.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.85	2.79	-0.95
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.34	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	2.85	-0.91
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.80	10.09	-4.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QLTA vs. BBCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLTA Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is comparable to the BBCB Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLTA and BBCB, 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

	QLTA	BBCB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	1.71	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.12	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.46	-0.06

Drawdowns

QLTA vs. BBCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLTA drawdown since its inception was -22.27%, roughly equal to the maximum BBCB drawdown of -22.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLTA and BBCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLTA	BBCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.27%	-22.48%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.81%	-2.95%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.66%	-6.46%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.36%	-22.32%	+0.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.27%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.41%	-0.34%	-3.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.68%	-6.66%	+1.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.83%	+0.11%

Volatility

QLTA vs. BBCB - Volatility Comparison

iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (BBCB) have volatilities of 1.37% and 1.41%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLTA	BBCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.37%	1.41%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.19%	3.98%	-0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.37%	4.93%	-0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.22%	7.25%	-0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.02%	7.50%	-0.48%

QLTA vs. BBCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLTA has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than BBCB's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QLTA vs. BBCB - Dividend Comparison

QLTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.47%, less than BBCB's 7.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBCB JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF	7.15%	5.02%	5.22%	4.22%	3.39%	3.47%	4.59%	5.25%	0.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QLTA iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF	4.47%	4.33%	4.11%	3.39%	2.79%	1.96%	2.31%	2.99%	3.09%	2.67%	2.59%	2.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLTA and BBCB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, QLTA and BBCB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QLTA or BBCB?

BBCB has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to QLTA (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLTA dropped -22.27% vs BBCB's -22.48%.

Which ETF is better, QLTA or BBCB?

On 5-year performance, BBCB leads with 0.84% vs 0.10% for QLTA. On fees, BBCB is cheaper at 0.09% 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, QLTA or BBCB?

Over the 5-year period, BBCB has performed better with a 0.84% return vs 0.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLTA or BBCB?

BBCB is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QLTA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QLTA or BBCB?

BBCB has the higher dividend yield at 7.15%, compared with 4.47% for QLTA.

What is the main difference between QLTA and BBCB?

QLTA tracks Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa - A Capped Index, while BBCB tracks Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade. They also come from different issuers: iShares and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QLTA and 0.09% for BBCB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.25), 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.