TYA vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TYA (Simplify Intermediate Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. TYA is actively managed, while TLT is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TYA returned -1.95%/yr vs -1.93%/yr for TLT. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

TYA vs. TLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Intermediate Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF (TYA) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TYA achieves a -5.59% return, which is significantly lower than TLT's 0.64% return.

TYA

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: -5.59%
• 6M: -5.80%
• 1Y: -0.30%
• 3Y*: -1.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TLT

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 2.06%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.41%
• 1Y: 4.08%
• 3Y*: -1.93%
• 5Y*: -6.59%
• 10Y*: -1.75%

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

TYA vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TYA Simplify Intermediate Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF	-5.59%	14.38%	-9.63%	-2.23%	-37.62%	-0.80%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	0.64%	4.25%	-8.05%	2.77%	-31.23%	1.74%

Correlation

The correlation between TYA and TLT is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2021	0.87

The correlation between TYA and TLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TYA vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

TYA

TYA Risk / Return Rank: 8
TYA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
TYA Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
TYA Omega Ratio Rank: 8
TYA Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
TYA Martin Ratio Rank: 8

TLT

TLT Risk / Return Rank: 14
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 13
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

TYA vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Intermediate Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF (TYA) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.

	TYA	TLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.02	0.43	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.06	0.69	-0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.08	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.03	0.54	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.07	1.29	-1.35

TYA vs. TLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TYA Sharpe Ratio is -0.02, which is lower than the TLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TYA and TLT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TYA vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TYA drawdown since its inception was -51.15%, which is greater than TLT's maximum drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TYA and TLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	TYA	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.15%	-48.35%	-2.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.80%	-7.58%	-4.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.36%	-19.18%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-43.70%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-41.80%	-39.89%	-1.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.88%	-13.87%	-22.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.63%	3.17%	+1.46%

Volatility

TYA vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Intermediate Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF (TYA) has a higher volatility of 3.57% compared to iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) at 2.21%. This indicates that TYA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TYA	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	2.21%	+1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.17%	6.63%	+2.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	9.50%	+3.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.51%	15.82%	+4.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.51%	14.91%	+5.60%

TYA vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both TYA and TLT have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TYA vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison

TYA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.89%, less than TLT's 4.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	4.55%	4.43%	4.30%	3.38%	2.67%	1.50%	1.50%	2.27%	2.63%	2.43%	2.60%	2.61%
TYA Simplify Intermediate Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF	3.89%	3.85%	4.84%	4.28%	2.23%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TYA and TLT in my portfolio?

TYA and TLT have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TYA or TLT?

TYA has higher volatility (3.57%) compared to TLT (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TYA dropped -51.15% vs TLT's -48.35%.

Which ETF is better, TYA or TLT?

On 3-year performance, TLT leads with -1.93% vs -1.95% for TYA. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, TLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TYA or TLT?

Over the 3-year period, TLT has performed better with a -1.93% return vs -1.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TYA or TLT?

TYA and TLT have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TYA or TLT?

TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.55%, compared with 3.89% for TYA.

What is the main difference between TYA and TLT?

They also come from different issuers: Simplify and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.43 vs -0.02), 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.