RAFE vs. IBIC

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) and IBIC (iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RAFE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the RAFI ESG US Index, while IBIC is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, RAFE returned 29.87% vs 4.42% for IBIC. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. RAFE charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBIC.

Performance

RAFE vs. IBIC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RAFE achieves a 13.45% return, which is significantly higher than IBIC's 2.43% return.

RAFE

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 2.23%
• YTD: 13.45%
• 6M: 12.91%
• 1Y: 29.87%
• 3Y*: 19.07%
• 5Y*: 11.34%
• 10Y*: —

IBIC

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 2.43%
• 6M: 2.57%
• 1Y: 4.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RAFE vs. IBIC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	13.45%	17.60%	13.81%	8.24%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	2.43%	4.96%	5.25%	2.17%

Correlation

The correlation between RAFE and IBIC is -0.19, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 15, 2023	-0.05

The correlation between RAFE and IBIC shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (1 year) to -0.05 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RAFE vs. IBIC — Risk / Return Rank

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

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 84
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 83
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 82

IBIC

IBIC Risk / Return Rank: 98
IBIC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Omega Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

RAFE vs. IBIC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). 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.

	RAFE	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	4.99	-2.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	8.97	-5.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	2.22	-0.76
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.02	16.56	-12.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.57	58.67	-43.10

RAFE vs. IBIC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RAFE Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is lower than the IBIC Sharpe Ratio of 4.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RAFE and IBIC, 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

RAFE vs. IBIC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RAFE drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than IBIC's maximum drawdown of -0.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RAFE and IBIC.

Drawdown Indicators

	RAFE	IBIC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-0.90%	-34.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.46%	-0.27%	-7.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	-0.08%	-1.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.17%	-0.10%	-6.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	0.08%	+1.84%

Volatility

RAFE vs. IBIC - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) at 0.17%. This indicates that RAFE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBIC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RAFE	IBIC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	0.17%	+3.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.71%	0.67%	+8.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.54%	0.89%	+10.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.10%	1.56%	+13.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.40%	1.56%	+17.84%

RAFE vs. IBIC - Expense Ratio Comparison

RAFE has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIC's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

RAFE vs. IBIC - Dividend Comparison

RAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, less than IBIC's 3.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	3.58%	4.43%	4.65%	0.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.50%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RAFE and IBIC in my portfolio?

RAFE and IBIC have a correlation of -0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RAFE or IBIC?

RAFE has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to IBIC (0.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RAFE dropped -35.74% vs IBIC's -0.90%.

Which ETF is better, RAFE or IBIC?

On 1-year performance, RAFE leads with 29.87% vs 4.42% for IBIC. On fees, IBIC is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IBIC has been the lower-risk option at 0.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RAFE or IBIC?

Over the 1-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 29.87% return vs 4.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RAFE or IBIC?

IBIC is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for RAFE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RAFE or IBIC?

IBIC has the higher dividend yield at 3.58%, compared with 1.50% for RAFE.

What is the main difference between RAFE and IBIC?

RAFE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IBIC is Inflation-Protected Bonds. RAFE tracks RAFI ESG US Index, while IBIC tracks ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for RAFE and 0.10% for IBIC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.99 vs 2.61), 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.