QLTA vs. FBND

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QLTA (iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF) and FBND (Fidelity Total Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QLTA is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa - A Capped Index, while FBND is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Fidelity. QLTA is passively managed, while FBND is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, QLTA returned 2.02%/yr vs 2.58%/yr for FBND. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLTA charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for FBND.

Performance

QLTA vs. FBND - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLTA achieves a 0.50% return, which is significantly lower than FBND's 0.70% return. Over the past 10 years, QLTA has underperformed FBND with an annualized return of 2.02%, while FBND has yielded a comparatively higher 2.58% annualized return.

QLTA

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 0.50%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 5.60%
• 3Y*: 4.58%
• 5Y*: 0.25%
• 10Y*: 2.02%

FBND

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 0.70%
• 6M: 0.67%
• 1Y: 5.75%
• 3Y*: 4.77%
• 5Y*: 0.94%
• 10Y*: 2.58%

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

QLTA vs. FBND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QLTA iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF	0.50%	7.36%	1.23%	7.60%	-15.14%	-2.32%	9.62%	12.54%	-2.27%	5.69%
FBND Fidelity Total Bond ETF	0.70%	7.57%	2.13%	6.81%	-12.54%	-0.43%	9.41%	9.82%	-0.57%	3.52%

Correlation

The correlation between QLTA and FBND is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2014	0.83

The correlation between QLTA and FBND shifts across timeframes, from 0.83 (all time) to 0.95 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QLTA vs. FBND — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLTA

QLTA Risk / Return Rank: 36
QLTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
QLTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
QLTA Omega Ratio Rank: 33
QLTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
QLTA Martin Ratio Rank: 36

FBND

FBND Risk / Return Rank: 41
FBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
FBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
FBND Omega Ratio Rank: 40
FBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
FBND Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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. FBND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) and Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND). 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	FBND	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	1.50	-0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	2.23	-0.32
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.26	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	2.06	-0.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.74	6.28	-0.54
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. FBND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLTA Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is comparable to the FBND Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLTA and FBND, 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	FBND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.29	1.50	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.16	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.42	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.45	-0.05

Drawdowns

QLTA vs. FBND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLTA drawdown since its inception was -22.27%, which is greater than FBND's maximum drawdown of -17.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLTA and FBND.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLTA	FBND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.27%	-17.25%	-5.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.81%	-2.66%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.66%	-5.94%	-0.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.36%	-17.25%	-4.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.27%	-17.25%	-5.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.23%	-1.23%	-2.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.68%	-3.35%	-1.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.88%	+0.06%

Volatility

QLTA vs. FBND - Volatility Comparison

iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) has a higher volatility of 1.38% compared to Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND) at 1.28%. This indicates that QLTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FBND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLTA	FBND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	1.28%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.21%	2.76%	+0.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.38%	3.86%	+0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.22%	5.92%	+1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.02%	6.10%	+0.92%

QLTA vs. FBND - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLTA has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than FBND's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLTA vs. FBND - Dividend Comparison

QLTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, less than FBND's 4.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBND Fidelity Total Bond ETF	4.69%	4.70%	4.73%	4.26%	3.07%	1.86%	4.25%	2.90%	2.93%	2.56%	2.84%	3.26%
QLTA iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF	4.46%	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 FBND in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, QLTA and FBND 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 FBND?

QLTA has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to FBND (1.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLTA dropped -22.27% vs FBND's -17.25%.

Which ETF is better, QLTA or FBND?

On 10-year performance, FBND leads with 2.58% vs 2.02% for QLTA. On fees, QLTA is cheaper at 0.15% 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 FBND?

Over the 10-year period, FBND has performed better with a 2.58% return vs 2.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLTA or FBND?

QLTA is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for FBND.

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

FBND has the higher dividend yield at 4.69%, compared with 4.46% for QLTA.

What is the main difference between QLTA and FBND?

QLTA is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while FBND is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QLTA and 0.36% for FBND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.29), 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.