SLQD vs. MILK
SLQD (iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF) and MILK (Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - SLQD tracks the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade 0-5 Index while MILK tracks the Solactive Pacer US Cash Cows Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SLQD returned 4.46% vs 9.23% for MILK. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SLQD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for MILK.
Performance
SLQD vs. MILK - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SLQD achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly lower than MILK's 2.18% return.
SLQD
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- 0.24%
- YTD
- 0.84%
- 6M
- 1.16%
- 1Y
- 4.46%
- 3Y*
- 5.35%
- 5Y*
- 2.52%
- 10Y*
- 2.66%
MILK
- 1D
- -0.24%
- 1M
- 1.10%
- YTD
- 2.18%
- 6M
- 1.55%
- 1Y
- 9.23%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SLQD vs. MILK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
SLQD iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 0.84% | 6.27% | 0.32% |
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF | 2.18% | 7.49% | -0.35% |
Correlation
The correlation between SLQD and MILK is 0.79, 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 | 0.79 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2024 | 0.74 |
The correlation between SLQD and MILK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
SLQD vs. MILK — Risk / Return Rank
SLQD
MILK
SLQD vs. MILK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (SLQD) and Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK). 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.
| SLQD | MILK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.62 | 1.32 | +0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.22 | 2.47 | +1.74 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 19.08 | 8.90 | +10.18 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SLQD | MILK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.02 | 1.78 | +1.24 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.04 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.85 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.85 | 0.97 | -0.12 |
Drawdowns
SLQD vs. MILK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SLQD drawdown since its inception was -12.69%, which is greater than MILK's maximum drawdown of -6.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLQD and MILK.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| SLQD | MILK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -12.69% | -6.16% | -6.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.06% | -3.75% | +2.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.06% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.63% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -12.69% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.13% | -0.24% | +0.11% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.87% | -1.09% | +0.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.23% | 1.04% | -0.81% |
Volatility
SLQD vs. MILK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (SLQD) is 0.46%, while Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK) has a volatility of 1.58%. This indicates that SLQD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MILK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| SLQD | MILK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.46% | 1.58% | -1.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.09% | 3.78% | -2.69% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.49% | 5.21% | -3.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.44% | 6.69% | -4.25% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.14% | 6.69% | -3.55% |
SLQD vs. MILK - Expense Ratio Comparison
SLQD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than MILK's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
SLQD vs. MILK - Dividend Comparison
SLQD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.32%, less than MILK's 7.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF | 7.04% | 6.97% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SLQD iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 4.32% | 4.15% | 3.71% | 2.99% | 2.00% | 1.67% | 2.34% | 2.89% | 2.55% | 1.98% | 1.81% | 1.43% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SLQD and MILK have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MILK has higher volatility (1.58%) compared to SLQD (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLQD dropped -12.69% vs MILK's -6.16%.
On 1-year performance, MILK leads with 9.23% vs 4.46% for SLQD. On fees, SLQD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SLQD has been the lower-risk option at 0.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, MILK has performed better with a 9.23% return vs 4.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SLQD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MILK.
MILK has the higher dividend yield at 7.04%, compared with 4.32% for SLQD.
SLQD tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade 0-5 Index, while MILK tracks Solactive Pacer US Cash Cows Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SLQD and 0.49% for MILK.
SLQD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 1.78), 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.
Find the right allocation for SLQD and MILK
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer