TAGG vs. FCBD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TAGG (T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF) and FCBD (Frontier Asset Core Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TAGG returned 5.22% vs 4.20% for FCBD. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TAGG charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for FCBD.

Performance

TAGG vs. FCBD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF (TAGG) and Frontier Asset Core Bond ETF (FCBD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TAGG achieves a 0.18% return, which is significantly lower than FCBD's 0.26% return.

TAGG

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 0.18%
• 6M: 0.16%
• 1Y: 5.22%
• 3Y*: 4.26%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FCBD

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 0.38%
• 1Y: 4.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TAGG vs. FCBD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
TAGG T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF	0.18%	7.40%	-0.11%
FCBD Frontier Asset Core Bond ETF	0.26%	6.29%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between TAGG and FCBD is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2024	0.86

The correlation between TAGG and FCBD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TAGG vs. FCBD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

TAGG

TAGG Risk / Return Rank: 36
TAGG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
TAGG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
TAGG Omega Ratio Rank: 38
TAGG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
TAGG Martin Ratio Rank: 32

FCBD

FCBD Risk / Return Rank: 52
FCBD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
FCBD Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FCBD Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FCBD Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
FCBD Martin Ratio Rank: 48

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

TAGG vs. FCBD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF (TAGG) and Frontier Asset Core Bond ETF (FCBD). 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.

	TAGG	FCBD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.79	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	2.68	-0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.32	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	2.57	-0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.86	7.86	-3.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TAGG vs. FCBD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAGG Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the FCBD Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAGG and FCBD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TAGG	FCBD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	1.79	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.04	1.76	-1.73

Drawdowns

TAGG vs. FCBD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAGG drawdown since its inception was -17.26%, which is greater than FCBD's maximum drawdown of -1.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAGG and FCBD.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAGG	FCBD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.26%	-1.64%	-15.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.19%	-1.64%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.03%	-0.94%	-1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.87%	-0.35%	-6.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	0.54%	+0.54%

Volatility

TAGG vs. FCBD - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF (TAGG) has a higher volatility of 1.19% compared to Frontier Asset Core Bond ETF (FCBD) at 0.86%. This indicates that TAGG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FCBD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TAGG	FCBD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.19%	0.86%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.69%	1.72%	+0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.83%	2.35%	+1.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.53%	2.60%	+3.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.53%	2.60%	+3.93%

TAGG vs. FCBD - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAGG has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than FCBD's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

TAGG vs. FCBD - Dividend Comparison

TAGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than FCBD's 4.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FCBD Frontier Asset Core Bond ETF	4.23%	4.34%	0.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TAGG T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF	4.58%	4.36%	4.36%	3.48%	3.67%	0.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAGG and FCBD in my portfolio?

TAGG and FCBD have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TAGG or FCBD?

TAGG has higher volatility (1.19%) compared to FCBD (0.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAGG dropped -17.26% vs FCBD's -1.64%.

Which ETF is better, TAGG or FCBD?

On 1-year performance, TAGG leads with 5.22% vs 4.20% for FCBD. On fees, TAGG is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, FCBD has been the lower-risk option at 0.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TAGG or FCBD?

Over the 1-year period, TAGG has performed better with a 5.22% return vs 4.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TAGG or FCBD?

TAGG is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for FCBD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TAGG or FCBD?

TAGG has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 4.23% for FCBD.

What is the main difference between TAGG and FCBD?

They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and Frontier. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for TAGG and 0.90% for FCBD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FCBD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.37), 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.