TIBFX vs. IUSB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TIBFX (TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class) and IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) are both funds - TIBFX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by TIAA Investments, while IUSB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index. Over the past 10 years, TIBFX returned 2.30%/yr vs 1.94%/yr for IUSB. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TIBFX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IUSB.

Performance

TIBFX vs. IUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class (TIBFX) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TIBFX achieves a 0.80% return, which is significantly higher than IUSB's 0.43% return. Over the past 10 years, TIBFX has outperformed IUSB with an annualized return of 2.30%, while IUSB has yielded a comparatively lower 1.94% annualized return.

TIBFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 0.80%
• 6M: 0.87%
• 1Y: 6.07%
• 3Y*: 4.79%
• 5Y*: 0.54%
• 10Y*: 2.30%

IUSB

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.31%
• 1Y: 5.54%
• 3Y*: 4.51%
• 5Y*: 0.44%
• 10Y*: 1.94%

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

TIBFX vs. IUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TIBFX TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class	0.80%	7.36%	2.34%	6.66%	-13.84%	-0.32%	8.22%	9.71%	-0.53%	4.83%
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF	0.43%	7.38%	2.11%	6.23%	-13.04%	-1.33%	7.62%	9.13%	-0.27%	3.82%

Correlation

The correlation between TIBFX 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	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2014	0.84

The correlation between TIBFX and IUSB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TIBFX vs. IUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

TIBFX

TIBFX Risk / Return Rank: 32
TIBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
TIBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
TIBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
TIBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
TIBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

IUSB

IUSB Risk / Return Rank: 43
IUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
IUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 41
IUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
IUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

TIBFX vs. IUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class (TIBFX) 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.

	TIBFX	IUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.54	+0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	2.30	+0.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.27	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.05	2.20	-0.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.81	6.68	+0.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TIBFX vs. IUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TIBFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the IUSB Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TIBFX and IUSB, 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

	TIBFX	IUSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	1.54	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.08	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.39	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.46	+0.38

Drawdowns

TIBFX vs. IUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TIBFX drawdown since its inception was -18.92%, which is greater than IUSB's maximum drawdown of -17.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TIBFX and IUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	TIBFX	IUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.92%	-17.90%	-1.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.98%	-2.53%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.67%	-5.82%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.92%	-17.87%	-1.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.92%	-17.90%	-1.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-1.33%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.62%	-3.59%	+0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.89%	0.83%	+0.06%

Volatility

TIBFX vs. IUSB - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class (TIBFX) has a higher volatility of 1.36% compared to iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) at 1.24%. This indicates that TIBFX'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.

Volatility by Period

	TIBFX	IUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.36%	1.24%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.75%	2.62%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.72%	3.62%	+0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.43%	5.79%	-0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.57%	5.04%	-0.47%

TIBFX vs. IUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

TIBFX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSB's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

TIBFX vs. IUSB - Dividend Comparison

TIBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.71%, 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%
TIBFX TIAA-CREF Core Plus Bond Fund Institutional Class	4.71%	4.55%	3.87%	3.84%	2.85%	3.76%	3.71%	3.24%	3.08%	3.16%	4.14%	3.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TIBFX and IUSB in my portfolio?

TIBFX 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.

Which is riskier, TIBFX or IUSB?

TIBFX has higher volatility (1.36%) compared to IUSB (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TIBFX dropped -18.92% vs IUSB's -17.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TIBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.54), 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.