TBF vs. ISTB
TBF (ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury) and ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TBF is a Inverse Bonds fund tracking the U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Index (-100%), while ISTB is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TBF returned 3.67%/yr vs 2.20%/yr for ISTB. Their -0.56 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. TBF charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for ISTB.
Performance
TBF vs. ISTB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TBF achieves a 6.75% return, which is significantly higher than ISTB's 0.63% return. Over the past 10 years, TBF has outperformed ISTB with an annualized return of 3.67%, while ISTB has yielded a comparatively lower 2.20% annualized return.
TBF
- 1D
- 0.79%
- 1M
- 4.68%
- 6M
- 6.35%
- YTD
- 6.75%
- 1Y
- 8.07%
- 3Y*
- 7.85%
- 5Y*
- 12.59%
- 10Y*
- 3.67%
- ALL TIME*
- -2.86%
ISTB
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- -0.19%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 0.63%
- 1Y
- 2.74%
- 3Y*
- 4.99%
- 5Y*
- 1.86%
- 10Y*
- 2.20%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.01%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20.52M | $19.72M | $25.64M | |
| $4.61M | $3.79M | $5.25M |
TBF vs. ISTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TBF ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury | 6.75% | 1.27% | 16.33% | 2.43% | 42.37% | 1.33% | -19.35% | -10.96% | 3.26% | -8.46% |
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.63% | 6.36% | 4.37% | 5.56% | -6.08% | -0.71% | 4.75% | 5.61% | 1.02% | 1.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between TBF and ISTB is -0.72, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.72 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.76 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.72 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.63 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012 | -0.56 |
The correlation between TBF and ISTB shifts across timeframes, from -0.76 (3 years) to -0.56 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
TBF vs. ISTB — Risk / Return Rank
TBF
ISTB
TBF vs. ISTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury (TBF) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). 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.
| TBF | ISTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.68 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.34 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.01 | 2.61 | -1.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.29 | 9.39 | -7.10 |
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Drawdowns
TBF vs. ISTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TBF drawdown since its inception was -70.40%, which is greater than ISTB's maximum drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBF and ISTB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TBF | ISTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.40% | -9.34% | -61.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.52% | -1.26% | -5.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.79% | -1.36% | -16.43% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.79% | -9.34% | -8.45% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.39% | -9.34% | -29.05% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -40.98% | -0.27% | -40.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -47.38% | -1.21% | -46.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.89% | 0.35% | +2.54% |
Volatility
TBF vs. ISTB - Volatility Comparison
ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury (TBF) has a higher volatility of 2.44% compared to iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) at 0.48%. This indicates that TBF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TBF | ISTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.44% | 0.48% | +1.96% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.73% | 1.42% | +5.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.18% | 1.80% | +7.38% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.60% | 2.81% | +12.79% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.45% | 2.51% | +11.94% |
TBF vs. ISTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
TBF has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTB's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
TBF vs. ISTB - Dividend Comparison
TBF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, less than ISTB's 4.26% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF | 3.91% | 4.12% | 3.83% | 2.97% | 2.01% | 1.69% | 2.20% | 2.75% | 2.57% | 2.06% | 1.90% | 1.58% |
TBF ProShares Short 20+ Year Treasury | 2.66% | 3.39% | 4.06% | 4.99% | 0.36% | 0.00% | 0.22% | 1.68% | 0.88% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TBF and ISTB have a correlation of -0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TBF has higher volatility (2.44%) compared to ISTB (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBF dropped -70.40% vs ISTB's -9.34%.
On 10-year performance, TBF leads with 3.67% vs 2.20% for ISTB. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, ISTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, TBF has performed better with a 3.67% return vs 2.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ISTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.94% for TBF.
ISTB has the higher dividend yield at 3.91%, compared with 2.66% for TBF.
TBF is categorized as Inverse Bonds, while ISTB is Short-Term Bond. TBF tracks U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Index (-100%), while ISTB tracks BBG US Universal 1-5 Year Index (USD). They also come from different issuers: ProShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.94% for TBF and 0.06% for ISTB.
ISTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 0.72), 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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