SJB vs. TLT
SJB (ProShares Short High Yield) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SJB is a Inverse Bonds fund tracking the iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index (-100%), while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SJB returned -3.51%/yr vs -2.22%/yr for TLT. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SJB charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.
Performance
SJB vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SJB achieves a 0.58% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -0.89% return. Over the past 10 years, SJB has underperformed TLT with an annualized return of -3.51%, while TLT has yielded a comparatively higher -2.22% annualized return.
SJB
- 1D
- 0.20%
- 1M
- 0.07%
- 6M
- 0.84%
- YTD
- 0.58%
- 1Y
- 0.05%
- 3Y*
- -1.97%
- 5Y*
- -0.27%
- 10Y*
- -3.51%
TLT
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- -1.15%
- 6M
- -1.76%
- YTD
- -0.89%
- 1Y
- 2.95%
- 3Y*
- -1.36%
- 5Y*
- -7.32%
- 10Y*
- -2.22%
SJB vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SJB ProShares Short High Yield | 0.58% | -1.87% | -0.84% | -5.63% | 9.57% | -6.69% | -9.23% | -11.42% | 2.47% | -6.17% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | -0.89% | 4.25% | -8.05% | 2.77% | -31.23% | -4.60% | 18.15% | 14.12% | -1.61% | 9.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between SJB and TLT is -0.47, 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 | -0.47 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.52 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2011 | 0.02 |
The correlation between SJB and TLT shifts across timeframes, from -0.52 (3 years) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SJB vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank
SJB
TLT
SJB vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short High Yield (SJB) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.
| SJB | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.03 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.09 | 0.20 | -0.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.18 | 0.47 | -0.30 |
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Drawdowns
SJB vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SJB drawdown since its inception was -58.06%, which is greater than TLT's maximum drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SJB and TLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SJB | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.06% | -48.35% | -9.71% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.74% | -7.58% | +4.84% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.54% | -18.88% | +8.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.30% | -43.70% | +30.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.86% | -48.35% | +15.49% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -57.47% | -40.81% | -16.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -42.57% | -13.92% | -28.65% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.39% | 3.25% | -1.86% |
Volatility
SJB vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ProShares Short High Yield (SJB) is 0.90%, while iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has a volatility of 2.88%. This indicates that SJB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SJB | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.90% | 2.88% | -1.98% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.06% | 6.82% | -3.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.84% | 9.47% | -5.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.52% | 15.79% | -8.27% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.45% | 14.85% | -6.40% |
SJB vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
SJB has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
SJB vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
SJB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%, less than TLT's 4.62% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SJB ProShares Short High Yield | 3.61% | 3.86% | 5.86% | 4.10% | 0.46% | 0.00% | 0.07% | 1.27% | 0.71% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 4.62% | 4.43% | 4.30% | 3.38% | 2.67% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 2.27% | 2.63% | 2.43% | 2.60% | 2.61% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SJB and TLT have a correlation of -0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TLT has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to SJB (0.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SJB dropped -58.06% vs TLT's -48.35%.
On 10-year performance, TLT leads with -2.22% vs -3.51% for SJB. On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, SJB has been the lower-risk option at 0.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, TLT has performed better with a -2.22% return vs -3.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SJB.
TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.62%, compared with 3.61% for SJB.
SJB is categorized as Inverse Bonds, while TLT is Government Bonds. SJB tracks iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index (-100%), while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SJB and 0.15% for TLT.
TLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.16 vs 0.06), 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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