VBND vs. FIBR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBND (Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF) and FIBR (iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds - VBND tracks the Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy Index while FIBR tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBND returned 1.58%/yr vs 2.28%/yr for FIBR. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VBND charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FIBR.

Performance

VBND vs. FIBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) and iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF (FIBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBND achieves a 0.39% return, which is significantly higher than FIBR's 0.06% return. Over the past 10 years, VBND has underperformed FIBR with an annualized return of 1.58%, while FIBR has yielded a comparatively higher 2.28% annualized return.

VBND

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 0.39%
• 6M: 0.57%
• 1Y: 5.65%
• 3Y*: 4.74%
• 5Y*: 0.41%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

FIBR

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 0.06%
• 6M: -0.05%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 6.70%
• 5Y*: 1.54%
• 10Y*: 2.28%

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

VBND vs. FIBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	0.39%	7.31%	1.26%	8.16%	-14.18%	-0.43%	5.37%	9.50%	-0.96%	3.15%
FIBR iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF	0.06%	8.32%	6.04%	8.22%	-13.57%	-1.00%	3.31%	10.03%	-0.93%	3.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VBND and FIBR is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2015	0.62

The correlation between VBND and FIBR shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (all time) to 0.79 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VBND vs. FIBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBND

VBND Risk / Return Rank: 37
VBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VBND Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VBND Martin Ratio Rank: 35

FIBR

FIBR Risk / Return Rank: 38
FIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
FIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
FIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 39
FIBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
FIBR Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

VBND vs. FIBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) and iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF (FIBR). 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.

	VBND	FIBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.41	-0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	2.02	-0.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.26	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	1.79	+0.22
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.41	5.50	-0.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBND vs. FIBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBND Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the FIBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBND and FIBR, 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

	VBND	FIBR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	1.41	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.27	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.46	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.50	-0.19

Drawdowns

VBND vs. FIBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBND drawdown since its inception was -18.97%, roughly equal to the maximum FIBR drawdown of -18.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBND and FIBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBND	FIBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.97%	-18.47%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-2.99%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.60%	-3.08%	-1.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.97%	-18.47%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.97%	-18.47%	-0.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-1.79%	+0.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.21%	-3.27%	-0.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.05%	0.97%	+0.08%

Volatility

VBND vs. FIBR - Volatility Comparison

Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) has a higher volatility of 1.49% compared to iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF (FIBR) at 1.40%. This indicates that VBND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FIBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBND	FIBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.49%	1.40%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.91%	3.10%	-0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.37%	3.80%	+0.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.12%	5.63%	+0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.45%	4.95%	+0.50%

VBND vs. FIBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBND has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than FIBR's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBND vs. FIBR - Dividend Comparison

VBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.23%, less than FIBR's 4.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIBR iShares U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Systematic ETF	4.62%	4.78%	5.04%	4.44%	3.27%	1.92%	2.57%	3.27%	3.61%	2.74%	2.92%	2.26%
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	4.23%	4.22%	4.41%	3.88%	2.55%	1.56%	1.98%	3.14%	2.82%	2.00%	3.12%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBND and FIBR in my portfolio?

VBND and FIBR have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBND or FIBR?

VBND has higher volatility (1.49%) compared to FIBR (1.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBND dropped -18.97% vs FIBR's -18.47%.

Which ETF is better, VBND or FIBR?

On 10-year performance, FIBR leads with 2.28% vs 1.58% for VBND. On fees, FIBR is cheaper at 0.25% 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, VBND or FIBR?

Over the 10-year period, FIBR has performed better with a 2.28% return vs 1.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBND or FIBR?

FIBR is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for VBND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VBND or FIBR?

FIBR has the higher dividend yield at 4.62%, compared with 4.23% for VBND.

What is the main difference between VBND and FIBR?

VBND tracks Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy Index, while FIBR tracks Bloomberg U.S. Fixed Income Balanced Risk Index. They also come from different issuers: Vident and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for VBND and 0.25% for FIBR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FIBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.41 vs 1.30), 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.