USLN vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

USLN (iShares Broad USD Floating Rate Loan ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USLN is a Bank Loan fund tracking the Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan Broad Select Index, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USLN charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.

Performance

USLN vs. TLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Broad USD Floating Rate Loan ETF (USLN) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

USLN

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

TLT

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: -0.05%
• 6M: -1.27%
• 1Y: 3.48%
• 3Y*: -1.67%
• 5Y*: -6.27%
• 10Y*: -1.56%

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

USLN vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
USLN iShares Broad USD Floating Rate Loan ETF	1.89%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	-2.98%

Correlation

The correlation between USLN and TLT is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2026	0.24

Return for Risk

USLN vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

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: 15

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.

USLN vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Broad USD Floating Rate Loan ETF (USLN) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	USLN	TLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.36	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.00	0.26	+2.74

Drawdowns

USLN vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USLN drawdown since its inception was -0.75%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USLN and TLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	USLN	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.75%	-48.35%	+47.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.58%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.18%	—
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	-0.04%	-40.31%	+40.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.21%	-13.82%	+13.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.05%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	USLN	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.71%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	6.50%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.58%	9.77%	-7.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.58%	15.86%	-13.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.58%	14.90%	-12.32%

USLN vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

USLN has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

USLN vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison

USLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.54%, less than TLT's 4.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	4.58%	4.43%	4.30%	3.38%	2.67%	1.50%	1.50%	2.27%	2.63%	2.43%	2.60%	2.61%
USLN iShares Broad USD Floating Rate Loan ETF	1.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USLN and TLT in my portfolio?

USLN and TLT have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, USLN or TLT?

On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, USLN or TLT?

TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for USLN.

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

TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 1.54% for USLN.

What is the main difference between USLN and TLT?

USLN is categorized as Bank Loan, while TLT is Government Bonds. USLN tracks Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan Broad Select Index, while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for USLN and 0.15% for TLT.