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SBND vs. ISTB
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SBND vs. ISTB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SBND (Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF) and ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds - SBND tracks the Bloomberg Beta Advantage Short Term Bond (-300%) while ISTB tracks the BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SBND returned 6.04%/yr vs 4.96%/yr for ISTB. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SBND charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for ISTB.

Performance

SBND vs. ISTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SBND achieves a 0.91% return, which is significantly higher than ISTB's 0.57% return.

SBND

1D
0.00%
1M
0.28%
YTD
0.91%
6M
1.54%
1Y
5.45%
3Y*
6.04%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

ISTB

1D
0.08%
1M
0.17%
YTD
0.57%
6M
0.92%
1Y
4.06%
3Y*
4.96%
5Y*
1.87%
10Y*
2.28%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SBND vs. ISTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
SBND
Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF		0.91%7.50%4.83%7.20%-7.24%-0.68%
ISTB
iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF		0.57%6.36%4.37%5.56%-6.08%-0.96%

Correlation

The correlation between SBND and ISTB is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.74

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.77

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2021

0.80

The correlation between SBND and ISTB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

SBND vs. ISTB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SBND
ISTB

Financial Services

9.2%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

0.6%

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

99.4%

Financial Services

SBND
9.2%
ISTB

-

Basic Materials

SBND

-

ISTB

-

Communication Services

SBND

-

ISTB

-

Consumer Cyclical

SBND

-

ISTB

-

Consumer Defensive

SBND

-

ISTB

-

Energy

SBND

-

ISTB

-

Healthcare

SBND

-

ISTB

-

Industrials

SBND

-

ISTB

-

Real Estate

SBND

-

ISTB
0.6%

Technology

SBND

-

ISTB

-

Utilities

SBND

-

ISTB
99.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF

iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF

Often compared with SBND:
SBND vs. DFSDSBND vs. HIBLSBND vs. VCSHSBND vs. SGOVSBND vs. FLTRSBND vs. VOOSBND vs. LLDYX
Often compared with ISTB:
ISTB vs. BSVISTB vs. AGGISTB vs. FUMBXISTB vs. IMTBISTB vs. SHYISTB vs. IAGGISTB vs. FIBR

Return for Risk

SBND vs. ISTB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SBND
SBND Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
SBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
SBND Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
SBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
SBND Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
ISTB
ISTB Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
ISTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7272
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ISTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 8181
Sortino Ratio Rank
ISTB Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
ISTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
ISTB Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SBND vs. ISTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). 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.

SBNDISTBDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.24
2.31

-0.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.48
3.58

-0.11

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.45

1.45

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.20

3.24

-0.04

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.43

12.35

+1.08

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SBND vs. ISTB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SBND Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the ISTB Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SBND and ISTB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

SBNDISTBDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.24

2.31

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

0.67

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.91

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.70

0.84

-0.15

Drawdowns

SBND vs. ISTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SBND drawdown since its inception was -10.78%, which is greater than ISTB's maximum drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBND and ISTB.

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Drawdown Indicators

SBNDISTBDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-10.78%

-9.34%

-1.44%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.71%

-1.26%

-0.45%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.71%

-1.36%

-0.35%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-9.34%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-9.34%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.14%

-0.34%

+0.20%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.86%

-1.22%

-1.64%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.41%

0.33%

+0.08%

Volatility

SBND vs. ISTB - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) has a higher volatility of 0.58% compared to iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) at 0.54%. This indicates that SBND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SBNDISTBDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.58%

0.54%

+0.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.69%

1.28%

+0.41%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.47%

1.77%

+0.70%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

3.61%

2.79%

+0.82%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

3.61%

2.50%

+1.11%

SBND vs. ISTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SBND has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTB's 0.06% 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

SBND vs. ISTB - Dividend Comparison

SBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, more than ISTB's 4.25% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ISTB
iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF		4.25%4.12%3.83%2.97%2.01%1.69%2.20%2.75%2.57%2.06%1.90%1.58%
SBND
Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF		4.53%4.65%4.58%3.90%2.80%0.43%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

SBND and ISTB have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SBND has higher volatility (0.58%) compared to ISTB (0.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBND dropped -10.78% vs ISTB's -9.34%.

On 3-year performance, SBND leads with 6.04% vs 4.96% for ISTB. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, SBND has performed better with a 6.04% return vs 4.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ISTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for SBND.

SBND has the higher dividend yield at 4.53%, compared with 4.25% for ISTB.

SBND tracks Bloomberg Beta Advantage Short Term Bond (-300%), while ISTB tracks BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). They also come from different issuers: Columbia and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SBND and 0.06% for ISTB.

ISTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 2.24), 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.

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