TIBDX vs. IUSB
TIBDX (TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund) and IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, TIBDX returned 1.97%/yr vs 1.89%/yr for IUSB. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TIBDX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IUSB.
Performance
TIBDX vs. IUSB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TIBDX achieves a 0.67% return, which is significantly higher than IUSB's 0.54% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TIBDX having a 1.97% annualized return and IUSB not far behind at 1.89%.
TIBDX
- 1D
- 0.22%
- 1M
- 0.93%
- YTD
- 0.67%
- 6M
- 1.04%
- 1Y
- 5.45%
- 3Y*
- 4.33%
- 5Y*
- 0.10%
- 10Y*
- 1.97%
IUSB
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- 0.57%
- YTD
- 0.54%
- 6M
- 0.62%
- 1Y
- 4.82%
- 3Y*
- 4.47%
- 5Y*
- 0.40%
- 10Y*
- 1.89%
TIBDX vs. IUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TIBDX TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund | 0.67% | 7.38% | 1.95% | 5.63% | -13.68% | -0.95% | 8.10% | 9.57% | -0.64% | 4.48% |
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.54% | 7.38% | 2.11% | 6.23% | -13.04% | -1.33% | 7.62% | 9.13% | -0.27% | 3.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between TIBDX and IUSB is 0.89, 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 | 0.89 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2014 | 0.86 |
The correlation between TIBDX and IUSB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
TIBDX vs. IUSB — Risk / Return Rank
TIBDX
IUSB
TIBDX vs. IUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund (TIBDX) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB). 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.
| TIBDX | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.24 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.84 | 1.92 | -0.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.46 | 5.54 | -0.07 |
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Drawdowns
TIBDX vs. IUSB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TIBDX drawdown since its inception was -18.82%, which is greater than IUSB's maximum drawdown of -17.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIBDX and IUSB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TIBDX | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.82% | -17.90% | -0.92% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.98% | -2.53% | -0.45% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.29% | -5.82% | -0.47% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.82% | -17.87% | -0.95% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.82% | -17.90% | -0.92% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.22% | -1.22% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.30% | -3.58% | +1.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.00% | 0.87% | +0.13% |
Volatility
TIBDX vs. IUSB - Volatility Comparison
TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund (TIBDX) has a higher volatility of 1.15% compared to iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) at 1.08%. This indicates that TIBDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TIBDX | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.15% | 1.08% | +0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.93% | 2.73% | +0.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.86% | 3.59% | +0.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.64% | 5.80% | -0.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.74% | 5.05% | -0.31% |
TIBDX vs. IUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison
TIBDX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSB's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
TIBDX vs. IUSB - Dividend Comparison
TIBDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, more than IUSB's 4.23% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 4.23% | 4.17% | 4.04% | 3.46% | 2.53% | 1.74% | 2.68% | 3.04% | 2.98% | 2.56% | 2.60% | 1.95% |
TIBDX TIAA-CREF Core Bond Fund | 4.45% | 4.34% | 3.60% | 3.22% | 2.44% | 2.39% | 4.45% | 3.09% | 2.88% | 2.93% | 3.80% | 4.68% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TIBDX and IUSB have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TIBDX has higher volatility (1.15%) compared to IUSB (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIBDX dropped -18.82% vs IUSB's -17.90%.
TIBDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 1.35), 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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