QLTA vs. SPAB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QLTA (iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF) and SPAB (SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QLTA is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa - A Capped Index, while SPAB is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QLTA returned 2.02%/yr vs 1.55%/yr for SPAB. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLTA charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPAB.

Performance

QLTA vs. SPAB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) and SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB). 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 higher than SPAB's 0.41% return. Over the past 10 years, QLTA has outperformed SPAB with an annualized return of 2.02%, while SPAB has yielded a comparatively lower 1.55% 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%

SPAB

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 0.41%
• 6M: 0.38%
• 1Y: 5.28%
• 3Y*: 3.97%
• 5Y*: 0.17%
• 10Y*: 1.55%

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

QLTA vs. SPAB - 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%
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF	0.41%	7.25%	1.25%	5.56%	-13.04%	-1.77%	7.39%	8.67%	-0.18%	3.71%

Correlation

The correlation between QLTA and SPAB is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 17, 2012	0.84

The correlation between QLTA and SPAB shifts across timeframes, from 0.84 (all time) to 0.96 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QLTA vs. SPAB — 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

SPAB

SPAB Risk / Return Rank: 38
SPAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
SPAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
SPAB Omega Ratio Rank: 38
SPAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
SPAB Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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. SPAB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) and SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB). 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	SPAB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	1.41	-0.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	2.13	-0.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.25	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	1.83	+0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.74	5.49	+0.24
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. SPAB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLTA Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is comparable to the SPAB Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLTA and SPAB, 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	SPAB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.29	1.41	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.03	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.28	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.51	-0.10

Drawdowns

QLTA vs. SPAB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLTA drawdown since its inception was -22.27%, which is greater than SPAB's maximum drawdown of -18.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLTA and SPAB.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLTA	SPAB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.27%	-18.56%	-3.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.81%	-2.74%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.66%	-6.08%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.36%	-17.96%	-3.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.27%	-18.56%	-3.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.23%	-2.15%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.68%	-3.08%	-1.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.91%	+0.03%

Volatility

QLTA vs. SPAB - Volatility Comparison

iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) has a higher volatility of 1.38% compared to SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB) at 1.19%. This indicates that QLTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPAB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLTA	SPAB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	1.19%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.21%	2.61%	+0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.38%	3.78%	+0.60%
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%	5.54%	+1.48%

QLTA vs. SPAB - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLTA has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPAB's 0.03% 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. SPAB - Dividend Comparison

QLTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, more than SPAB's 4.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF	4.05%	3.97%	3.86%	3.34%	2.59%	2.11%	2.43%	2.92%	2.96%	2.67%	2.63%	2.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLTA and SPAB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, QLTA and SPAB 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 SPAB?

QLTA has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to SPAB (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLTA dropped -22.27% vs SPAB's -18.56%.

Which ETF is better, QLTA or SPAB?

On 10-year performance, QLTA leads with 2.02% vs 1.55% for SPAB. On fees, SPAB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPAB has been the lower-risk option at 1.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLTA or SPAB?

Over the 10-year period, QLTA has performed better with a 2.02% return vs 1.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLTA or SPAB?

SPAB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for QLTA.

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

QLTA has the higher dividend yield at 4.46%, compared with 4.05% for SPAB.

What is the main difference between QLTA and SPAB?

QLTA is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while SPAB is Total Bond Market. QLTA tracks Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa - A Capped Index, while SPAB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QLTA and 0.03% for SPAB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPAB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.41 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.