TSEC vs. ISTB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TSEC (Touchstone Securitized Income ETF) and ISTB (iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds. TSEC is actively managed, while ISTB is passively managed. Over the past year, TSEC returned 6.08% vs 4.19% for ISTB. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TSEC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for ISTB.

Performance

TSEC vs. ISTB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Touchstone Securitized Income ETF (TSEC) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSEC achieves a 1.26% return, which is significantly higher than ISTB's 0.49% return.

TSEC

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 1.26%
• 6M: 1.95%
• 1Y: 6.08%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ISTB

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.49%
• 6M: 0.71%
• 1Y: 4.19%
• 3Y*: 4.95%
• 5Y*: 1.85%
• 10Y*: 2.27%

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

TSEC vs. ISTB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
TSEC Touchstone Securitized Income ETF	1.26%	7.47%	7.62%	5.00%
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF	0.49%	6.36%	4.37%	3.26%

Correlation

The correlation between TSEC and ISTB is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 20, 2023	0.46

Return for Risk

TSEC vs. ISTB — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSEC

TSEC Risk / Return Rank: 73
TSEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
TSEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
TSEC Omega Ratio Rank: 84
TSEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
TSEC Martin Ratio Rank: 66

ISTB

ISTB Risk / Return Rank: 73
ISTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ISTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
ISTB Omega Ratio Rank: 77
ISTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
ISTB Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

TSEC vs. ISTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Touchstone Securitized Income ETF (TSEC) 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.

	TSEC	ISTB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.37	-0.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.30	3.69	-0.39
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.46	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.65	3.34	+0.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.93	12.72	-0.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSEC vs. ISTB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the ISTB Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSEC and ISTB, 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

	TSEC	ISTB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	2.37	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.67	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.91	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.59	0.84	+1.75

Drawdowns

TSEC vs. ISTB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSEC drawdown since its inception was -1.78%, smaller than the maximum ISTB drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSEC and ISTB.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSEC	ISTB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.78%	-9.34%	+7.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.67%	-1.26%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.34%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-9.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.33%	-0.42%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.33%	-1.22%	+0.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.51%	0.33%	+0.18%

Volatility

TSEC vs. ISTB - Volatility Comparison

Touchstone Securitized Income ETF (TSEC) and iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) have volatilities of 0.53% and 0.54%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSEC	ISTB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.53%	0.54%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.07%	1.28%	+0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.70%	1.77%	+0.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.90%	2.79%	+0.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.90%	2.51%	+0.39%

TSEC vs. ISTB - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSEC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than ISTB's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSEC vs. ISTB - Dividend Comparison

TSEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.30%, more than ISTB's 4.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISTB iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF	4.25%	4.12%	3.83%	2.97%	2.01%	1.69%	2.20%	2.75%	2.57%	2.06%	1.90%	1.58%
TSEC Touchstone Securitized Income ETF	7.30%	6.47%	5.83%	2.86%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSEC and ISTB in my portfolio?

TSEC and ISTB have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSEC or ISTB?

ISTB has higher volatility (0.54%) compared to TSEC (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSEC dropped -1.78% vs ISTB's -9.34%.

Which ETF is better, TSEC or ISTB?

On 1-year performance, TSEC leads with 6.08% vs 4.19% for ISTB. On fees, ISTB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TSEC or ISTB?

Over the 1-year period, TSEC has performed better with a 6.08% return vs 4.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TSEC or ISTB?

ISTB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for TSEC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TSEC or ISTB?

TSEC has the higher dividend yield at 7.30%, compared with 4.25% for ISTB.

What is the main difference between TSEC and ISTB?

They also come from different issuers: Touchstone and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for TSEC and 0.06% for ISTB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.27), 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.