SYSB vs. IMTB
SYSB (iShares Systematic Bond ETF) and IMTB (iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds from iShares - SYSB tracks the BlackRock Universal Systematic Bond Index while IMTB tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal 5-10 Years Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SYSB returned 1.49%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for IMTB. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SYSB charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IMTB.
Performance
SYSB vs. IMTB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SYSB achieves a -0.19% return, which is significantly higher than IMTB's -0.26% return.
SYSB
- 1D
- -0.43%
- 1M
- -0.69%
- YTD
- -0.19%
- 6M
- 0.05%
- 1Y
- 5.16%
- 3Y*
- 6.55%
- 5Y*
- 1.49%
- 10Y*
- 2.24%
IMTB
- 1D
- -0.39%
- 1M
- -0.79%
- YTD
- -0.26%
- 6M
- 0.23%
- 1Y
- 5.34%
- 3Y*
- 4.61%
- 5Y*
- 0.50%
- 10Y*
- —
SYSB vs. IMTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF | -0.19% | 8.32% | 6.04% | 8.22% | -13.57% | -1.00% | 3.31% | 10.03% | -0.93% | 3.89% |
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | -0.26% | 8.88% | 1.94% | 6.10% | -12.75% | -1.41% | 6.25% | 8.62% | -0.45% | 4.88% |
Correlation
The correlation between SYSB and IMTB is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2016 | 0.69 |
The correlation between SYSB and IMTB shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (all time) to 0.86 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SYSB vs. IMTB — Risk / Return Rank
SYSB
IMTB
SYSB vs. IMTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) and iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB). 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.
| SYSB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.23 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.73 | 1.88 | -0.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.24 | 5.74 | -0.50 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SYSB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.36 | 1.32 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.27 | 0.08 | +0.19 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.45 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.50 | 0.36 | +0.14 |
Drawdowns
SYSB vs. IMTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SYSB drawdown since its inception was -18.47%, roughly equal to the maximum IMTB drawdown of -18.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYSB and IMTB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SYSB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.47% | -18.15% | -0.32% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.99% | -2.86% | -0.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.08% | -6.80% | +3.72% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.47% | -18.11% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.47% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.04% | -1.97% | -0.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.27% | -4.13% | +0.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.99% | 0.93% | +0.06% |
Volatility
SYSB vs. IMTB - Volatility Comparison
iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) and iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) have volatilities of 1.38% and 1.40%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SYSB | IMTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.38% | 1.40% | -0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.13% | 3.04% | +0.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.82% | 4.05% | -0.23% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.63% | 6.28% | -0.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.95% | 5.18% | -0.23% |
SYSB vs. IMTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
SYSB has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IMTB'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
SYSB vs. IMTB - Dividend Comparison
SYSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, more than IMTB's 4.53% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMTB iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 4.53% | 4.40% | 4.42% | 4.13% | 2.90% | 2.49% | 2.63% | 2.91% | 3.04% | 2.75% | 0.40% | 0.00% |
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF | 4.63% | 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
SYSB and IMTB have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IMTB has higher volatility (1.40%) compared to SYSB (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYSB dropped -18.47% vs IMTB's -18.15%.
On 5-year performance, SYSB leads with 1.49% vs 0.50% for IMTB. On fees, IMTB 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 5-year period, SYSB has performed better with a 1.49% return vs 0.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IMTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for SYSB.
SYSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.63%, compared with 4.53% for IMTB.
SYSB tracks BlackRock Universal Systematic Bond Index, while IMTB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal 5-10 Years Index. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SYSB and 0.06% for IMTB.
SYSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.32), 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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