SYSB vs. STXT
SYSB (iShares Systematic Bond ETF) and STXT (Strive Total Return Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds - SYSB tracks the BlackRock Universal Systematic Bond Index while STXT tracks the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SYSB returned 5.37% vs 3.40% for STXT. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SYSB charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for STXT.
Performance
SYSB vs. STXT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SYSB achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly higher than STXT's -0.09% return.
SYSB
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- 0.20%
- YTD
- 0.24%
- 6M
- 0.32%
- 1Y
- 5.37%
- 3Y*
- 6.74%
- 5Y*
- 1.57%
- 10Y*
- 2.31%
STXT
- 1D
- 0.05%
- 1M
- -0.65%
- YTD
- -0.09%
- 6M
- 0.08%
- 1Y
- 3.40%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SYSB vs. STXT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF | 0.24% | 8.32% | 6.04% | 5.19% |
STXT Strive Total Return Bond ETF | -0.09% | 6.58% | 1.77% | 4.09% |
Correlation
The correlation between SYSB and STXT is 0.69, 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 | 0.69 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2023 | 0.68 |
The correlation between SYSB and STXT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SYSB vs. STXT — Risk / Return Rank
SYSB
STXT
SYSB vs. STXT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) and Strive Total Return Bond ETF (STXT). 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 | STXT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.53 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.72 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.16 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.80 | 1.22 | +0.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.50 | 3.65 | +1.85 |
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 | STXT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.42 | 0.89 | +0.53 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.50 | 0.87 | -0.37 |
Drawdowns
SYSB vs. STXT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SYSB drawdown since its inception was -18.47%, which is greater than STXT's maximum drawdown of -5.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYSB and STXT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SYSB | STXT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.47% | -5.27% | -13.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.99% | -2.80% | -0.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.08% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.47% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.47% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.61% | -1.94% | +0.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.27% | -1.36% | -1.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.98% | 0.94% | +0.04% |
Volatility
SYSB vs. STXT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) is 1.40%, while Strive Total Return Bond ETF (STXT) has a volatility of 1.51%. This indicates that SYSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STXT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SYSB | STXT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.40% | 1.51% | -0.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.11% | 2.78% | +0.33% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.80% | 3.87% | -0.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.63% | 5.04% | +0.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.95% | 5.04% | -0.09% |
SYSB vs. STXT - Expense Ratio Comparison
SYSB has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than STXT's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
SYSB vs. STXT - Dividend Comparison
SYSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, less than STXT's 4.71% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STXT Strive Total Return Bond ETF | 4.71% | 4.93% | 5.15% | 1.82% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF | 4.61% | 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 STXT have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
STXT has higher volatility (1.51%) compared to SYSB (1.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYSB dropped -18.47% vs STXT's -5.27%.
On 1-year performance, SYSB leads with 5.37% vs 3.40% for STXT. On fees, SYSB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, SYSB has been the lower-risk option at 1.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, SYSB has performed better with a 5.37% return vs 3.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SYSB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for STXT.
STXT has the higher dividend yield at 4.71%, compared with 4.61% for SYSB.
SYSB tracks BlackRock Universal Systematic Bond Index, while STXT tracks Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for SYSB and 0.49% for STXT.
SYSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 0.89), 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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