SYSB vs. BNDS

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SYSB (iShares Systematic Bond ETF) and BNDS (Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. SYSB is passively managed, while BNDS is actively managed. Over the past year, SYSB returned 2.56% vs 9.23% for BNDS. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SYSB charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.81%/yr for BNDS.

Performance

SYSB vs. BNDS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) and Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF (BNDS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SYSB achieves a -0.64% return, which is significantly lower than BNDS's 4.11% return.

SYSB

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -1.31%
• 6M: -0.94%
• YTD: -0.64%
• 1Y: 2.56%
• 3Y*: 6.36%
• 5Y*: 1.13%
• 10Y*: 2.10%
• ALL TIME*: 2.28%

BNDS

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: -0.77%
• 6M: 1.77%
• YTD: 4.11%
• 1Y: 9.23%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.21%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BNDS Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF	$2.24M	$2.01M	$1.56M
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF	$4.79M	$5.34M	$7.44M

SYSB vs. BNDS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF	-0.64%	8.73%
BNDS Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF	4.11%	8.45%

Correlation

The correlation between SYSB and BNDS is 0.50, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2025	0.53

The correlation between SYSB and BNDS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SYSB vs. BNDS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SYSB

SYSB Risk / Return Rank: 30
SYSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
SYSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
SYSB Omega Ratio Rank: 28
SYSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
SYSB Martin Ratio Rank: 30

BNDS

BNDS Risk / Return Rank: 88
BNDS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
BNDS Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
BNDS Omega Ratio Rank: 94
BNDS Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
BNDS Martin Ratio Rank: 85

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SYSB vs. BNDS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) and Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF (BNDS). 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.

	SYSB	BNDS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	2.55	-1.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.10	3.68	-2.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.50	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	2.66	-1.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.61	11.88	-9.26

SYSB vs. BNDS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SYSB Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is lower than the BNDS Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SYSB and BNDS, 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

SYSB vs. BNDS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SYSB drawdown since its inception was -18.47%, which is greater than BNDS's maximum drawdown of -6.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYSB and BNDS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SYSB	BNDS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.47%	-6.96%	-11.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.99%	-3.45%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.99%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.47%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.47%	-1.08%	-1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.25%	-0.77%	-2.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.19%	0.77%	+0.42%

Volatility

SYSB vs. BNDS - Volatility Comparison

iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) has a higher volatility of 1.06% compared to Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF (BNDS) at 0.88%. This indicates that SYSB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BNDS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SYSB	BNDS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.06%	0.88%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.18%	2.81%	+0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.06%	3.59%	+0.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.66%	5.09%	+0.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.93%	5.09%	-0.16%

SYSB vs. BNDS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SYSB has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than BNDS's 0.81% expense ratio.

Dividends

SYSB vs. BNDS - Dividend Comparison

SYSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, less than BNDS's 8.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BNDS Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF	8.11%	7.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF	4.21%	4.78%	5.04%	4.44%	3.27%	1.92%	2.57%	3.27%	3.61%	2.74%	2.92%	2.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SYSB and BNDS in my portfolio?

SYSB and BNDS have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SYSB or BNDS?

SYSB has higher volatility (1.06%) compared to BNDS (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYSB dropped -18.47% vs BNDS's -6.96%.

Which ETF is better, SYSB or BNDS?

On 1-year performance, BNDS leads with 9.23% vs 2.56% for SYSB. On fees, SYSB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, BNDS has been the lower-risk option at 0.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SYSB or BNDS?

Over the 1-year period, BNDS has performed better with a 9.23% return vs 2.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SYSB or BNDS?

SYSB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.81% for BNDS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SYSB or BNDS?

BNDS has the higher dividend yield at 8.11%, compared with 4.21% for SYSB.

What is the main difference between SYSB and BNDS?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and InfraCap. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SYSB and 0.81% for BNDS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BNDS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 0.77), 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.