BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · Total Bond Market

How iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on IUSB alone. It places IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where IUSB stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: IUSB's full trading record, from June 2014 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.

Data as of October 22, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against IUSB →Chart IUSB vs. 25 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about IUSB

Key findings

Not AI-generated

These key findings are generated by our proprietary relative intelligence engine, directly from the data on this page.

How much would $10,000 in IUSB have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in IUSB over the past 12 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of IUSB over the same span and IUSB's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Note: IUSB began trading on June 12, 2014, so the chart cannot reach back to the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs. It covers the most recent 12 years of IUSB's record, starting at the end of September 2014.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2014 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,008 of the 2,464 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IUSB; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,0002014201620182020202220242026$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,00020142017202020232026
  • SPY (S&P 500)$47,240+372% total · +13.8% a year
  • HYG$15,928+59.3% total · +4.0% a year
  • JNK$15,554+55.5% total · +3.7% a year
  • EMB$14,229+42.3% total · +3.0% a year
  • VCIT$13,939+39.4% total · +2.8% a year
  • IGIB$13,622+36.2% total · +2.6% a year
  • USIG$13,342+33.4% total · +2.4% a year
  • SPBO$13,325+33.3% total · +2.4% a year
  • LQD$13,183+31.8% total · +2.3% a year
  • IUSB$12,555+25.6% total · +1.9% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 2,550 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of IUSB; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$6,000$8,000$10,000$12,000$14,000$16,000$18,000$20,000202120222023202420252026$5,000$10,000$15,000$20,000202120222023202420252026
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • JAAA$12,767+27.7% total · +5.0% a year
  • BIL$11,965+19.6% total · +3.7% a year
  • HYG$11,691+16.9% total · +3.2% a year
  • JNK$11,612+16.1% total · +3.0% a year
  • NFLT$11,331+13.3% total · +2.5% a year
  • UCON$11,072+10.7% total · +2.1% a year
  • EMB$10,558+5.6% total · +1.1% a year
  • VCIT$10,131+1.3% total · +0.3% a year
  • IUSB$9,868−1.3% total · −0.3% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

IUSB at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the fund, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

Note: IUSB began trading on June 12, 2014, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs.

The fund

Issuer
IShares
Began trading
June 2014
Expense ratio
0.06%per year
Assets
$49B
Category
Bonds

Returns

Past 1 year
−0.9%total return
Past 3 years
+18.0%+5.7% a year
Past 5 years
+1.1%+0.2% a year
Past 10 years
+17.8%+1.7% a year
Best calendar year
+9.1%2019
Worst calendar year
−13.0%2022
Losing years
3 of 11full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
5.9%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.07return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−17.9%Dec 2020 to Oct 2022
From its all-time high
−2.4%below the peak

IUSB against the whole market

Where IUSB ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does IUSB rank among all ETFs?

This section ranks IUSB on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every ETF worth at least $100 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how IUSB stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed ETFs with at least $100M in assets that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller ETFs and leveraged funds are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureIUSBRankStanding
1-year return−0.9%2,097 of 2,488bottom 17%
3-year return+18.0%1,646 of 1,950bottom 17%
5-year return+1.1%1,370 of 1,563bottom 13%
10-year return+17.8%869 of 958bottom 10%
Volatility, 5 years5.9%172 of 1,563top 11%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.071,390 of 1,563bottom 12%
Worst decline, past 10 years−17.9%84 of 951top 9%

What has beaten IUSB on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). IUSB sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than IUSB with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to IUSB; faint dots are 33 more of the 81 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

0.0%1.0%2.0%3.0%4.0%5.0%6.0%7.0%−1.0%0.0%1.0%2.0%3.0%4.0%5.0%6.0%7.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than IUSBBSV: +1.8% a year, volatility 2.8%VCSH: +2.4% a year, volatility 2.9%SCHO: +2.0% a year, volatility 2.1%STIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.8%USTB: +3.6% a year, volatility 2.1%RAVI: +3.8% a year, volatility 1.4%MEAR: +2.5% a year, volatility 1.0%LMBS: +3.1% a year, volatility 2.6%LDUR: +2.4% a year, volatility 2.1%STOT: +2.9% a year, volatility 1.7%SMMU: +2.0% a year, volatility 1.7%TIPX: +1.6% a year, volatility 4.7%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%FLTR: +4.8% a year, volatility 2.1%FLRN: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.7%BKLN: +5.3% a year, volatility 4.5%SRLN: +4.6% a year, volatility 3.9%FTSL: +5.0% a year, volatility 3.4%VNLA: +4.1% a year, volatility 1.1%FLDR: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.2%TBUX: +4.2% a year, volatility 1.1%BSCR: +1.8% a year, volatility 4.1%FLBL: +5.2% a year, volatility 3.9%LQDH: +5.2% a year, volatility 4.4%FLUD: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.4%INMU: +1.4% a year, volatility 3.8%JPIB: +2.6% a year, volatility 4.2%PREF: +2.5% a year, volatility 4.9%FLMI: +1.6% a year, volatility 4.6%IBTG: +1.3% a year, volatility 3.2%KORP: +1.5% a year, volatility 5.5%IUSB: +0.2% a year, volatility 5.9%VCIT: +0.8% a year, volatility 6.7%AFIF: +3.6% a year, volatility 4.5%NFLT: +2.8% a year, volatility 4.6%UCON: +2.3% a year, volatility 4.0%BIL: +3.7% a year, volatility 0.3%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%BALT: +6.2% a year, volatility 3.3%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%IBHF: +4.1% a year, volatility 5.8%AGZ: +1.1% a year, volatility 3.6%IUSBVCITAFIFNFLTUCONBILJAAABALTVTIPIBHFAGZ0.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%−2.0%0.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than IUSBBSV: +1.8% a year, volatility 2.8%VCSH: +2.4% a year, volatility 2.9%SCHO: +2.0% a year, volatility 2.1%STIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.8%USTB: +3.6% a year, volatility 2.1%RAVI: +3.8% a year, volatility 1.4%MEAR: +2.5% a year, volatility 1.0%LMBS: +3.1% a year, volatility 2.6%LDUR: +2.4% a year, volatility 2.1%STOT: +2.9% a year, volatility 1.7%SMMU: +2.0% a year, volatility 1.7%TIPX: +1.6% a year, volatility 4.7%VRIG: +4.7% a year, volatility 1.3%FLRT: +6.0% a year, volatility 2.3%FLOT: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.8%FLTR: +4.8% a year, volatility 2.1%FLRN: +4.5% a year, volatility 1.7%BKLN: +5.3% a year, volatility 4.5%SRLN: +4.6% a year, volatility 3.9%FTSL: +5.0% a year, volatility 3.4%VNLA: +4.1% a year, volatility 1.1%FLDR: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.2%TBUX: +4.2% a year, volatility 1.1%BSCR: +1.8% a year, volatility 4.1%FLBL: +5.2% a year, volatility 3.9%LQDH: +5.2% a year, volatility 4.4%FLUD: +3.9% a year, volatility 1.4%INMU: +1.4% a year, volatility 3.8%JPIB: +2.6% a year, volatility 4.2%PREF: +2.5% a year, volatility 4.9%FLMI: +1.6% a year, volatility 4.6%IBTG: +1.3% a year, volatility 3.2%KORP: +1.5% a year, volatility 5.5%IUSB: +0.2% a year, volatility 5.9%VCIT: +0.8% a year, volatility 6.7%AFIF: +3.6% a year, volatility 4.5%NFLT: +2.8% a year, volatility 4.6%UCON: +2.3% a year, volatility 4.0%BIL: +3.7% a year, volatility 0.3%JAAA: +5.1% a year, volatility 1.7%BALT: +6.2% a year, volatility 3.3%VTIP: +2.7% a year, volatility 2.9%IBHF: +4.1% a year, volatility 5.8%AGZ: +1.1% a year, volatility 3.6%IUSBVCITAFIFNFLTUCONBILJAAABALTVTIPIBHFAGZ
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region
  • 1 with more than 1.6× IUSB's volatility is in the table only

Is there a better investment than IUSB?

Investments that beat IUSB over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat IUSB over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes, and, for funds, the same exposure at a lower expense ratio. It checks IUSB's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than IUSB follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than IUSB's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× IUSB's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than IUSB's.

Screen the whole market against IUSB for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 11 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with IUSB?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
IUSBiShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF · this page
+0.2%5.9%0.07−17.9%+17.8%1.000.06%
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+316%0.640.09%
Popular alternativesbest 1 shownThe investments people most often weigh against IUSB. 4 of 23 passed at least one test.
VCITVanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF · Investment Grade Bonds
Same exposure, lower expense ratio+0.8%6.7%0.15−20.6%+27.7%0.990.03%
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 3 shownEverything else in Total Bond Market and the categories next to it (US Aggregate Bonds, Core Plus Bonds, Multisector Bonds), plus IUSB's specific themes. 6 of 25 passed at least one test.
AFIFAnfield Universal Fixed Income ETF · Multisector Bonds
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+3.6%4.5%0.83−10.8%—0.750.85%
NFLTVirtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF · Multisector Bonds
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+2.8%4.6%0.64−15.1%+41.7%0.910.50%
UCONFirst Trust Smith Unconstrained Bond ETF · Multisector Bonds
Higher return, lower volatility+2.3%4.0%0.60−15.3%—0.930.86%
The whole marketbest 6 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 138 of 3,599 passed at least one test.
BILState Street SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF · Treasury Bills
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+3.7%0.3%14.07−0.2%+25.8%0.280.14%
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · AAA CLO Debt
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.300.20%
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · US Equity Buffer
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+6.2%3.3%1.84−4.9%—0.630.69%
VTIPVanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF · Inflation-Protected Bonds
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+2.7%2.9%0.95−6.3%+33.2%0.710.03%
IBHFiShares iBonds 2026 Term High Yield and Income ETF · High Yield Bonds
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+4.1%5.8%0.73−11.2%—0.720.35%
AGZiShares Agency Bond ETF · Government Bonds
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+1.1%3.6%0.33−11.1%+18.9%0.960.15%
What these numbers mean for IUSB
Annual return
IUSB returned 0.2% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.5% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $10,100. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
IUSB's volatility over the past 5 years was 5.9%, 34% of the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, IUSB's return lands within 5.9% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
IUSB's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.07, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so IUSB earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
IUSB's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 17.9%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 17.9% fall takes a 21.8% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, IUSB's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.64 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against IUSB instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IUSB holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 81 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than IUSB with less volatility

Out of 3,641 tested over 5 years. The strongest 39 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with IUSBExpense
1
BILState Street SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF · Treasury Bills
Whole market+3.7%0.3%14.07−0.2%+25.8%0.280.14%
2
JAAAJanus Henderson AAA CLO ETF · AAA CLO Debt
Whole market+5.1%1.7%2.98−2.6%—0.300.20%
3
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETF · US Equity Buffer
Whole market+6.2%3.3%1.84−4.9%—0.630.69%
4
VTIPVanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF · Inflation-Protected Bonds
Whole market+2.7%2.9%0.95−6.3%+33.2%0.710.03%
5
BSVVanguard Short-Term Bond ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Whole market+1.8%2.8%0.67−8.5%+21.0%0.920.03%
6
VCSHVanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF · Short-Term Corporate Bonds
Whole market+2.4%2.9%0.84−12.9%+29.1%0.960.03%
7
SCHOSchwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF · Short-Term Treasuries
Whole market+2.0%2.1%1.00−5.7%+19.3%0.840.03%
8
STIPiShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF · Inflation-Protected Bonds
Whole market+2.7%2.8%0.95−6.5%+33.0%0.690.03%
9
USTBVictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Whole market+3.6%2.1%1.77−5.3%—0.890.34%
10
RAVINorthern Trust Ultra-Short Fixed Income ETF · Ultrashort Bonds
Whole market+3.8%1.4%2.62−3.7%+31.1%0.550.26%
11
MEARiShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond Active ETF · Short-Term Municipal Bonds
Whole market+2.5%1.0%2.41−2.7%+20.1%0.750.26%
12
LMBSFirst Trust Low Duration Opportunities ETF · Mortgage-Backed Securities
Whole market+3.1%2.6%1.17−6.5%+25.9%0.890.66%
13
LDURPIMCO Enhanced Low Duration Active Exchange-Traded Fund · Short-Term Bonds
Whole market+2.4%2.1%1.16−8.7%+26.7%0.780.54%
14
STOTState Street DoubleLine Short Duration Total Return Tactical ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Whole market+2.9%1.7%1.69−6.1%+25.9%0.820.45%
15
SMMUPIMCO Short Term Municipal Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund · Short-Term Municipal Bonds
Whole market+2.0%1.7%1.16−5.1%+20.5%0.920.35%
16
TIPXState Street SPDR Bloomberg 1-10 Year TIPS ETF · Inflation-Protected Bonds
Whole market+1.6%4.7%0.36−10.1%+31.3%0.820.15%
17
VRIGInvesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF · Investment Grade Bonds
Whole market+4.7%1.3%3.52−13.1%+40.7%0.290.30%
18
FLRTPacer Aristotle Pacific Floating Rate High Income ETF · Bank Loans
Whole market+6.0%2.3%2.55−20.9%+58.7%0.440.60%
19
FLOTiShares Floating Rate Bond ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.8%2.49−13.5%+35.9%0.240.15%
20
FLTRVanEck IG Floating Rate ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.8%2.1%2.21−17.8%+42.1%0.200.14%
21
FLRNState Street SPDR Bloomberg Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF · Floating Rate Bonds
Whole market+4.5%1.7%2.58−14.7%+35.7%0.290.15%
22
BKLNInvesco Senior Loan ETF · Bank Loans
Whole market+5.3%4.5%1.19−24.1%+50.5%0.400.67%
23
SRLNState Street Blackstone Senior Loan ETF · Bank Loans
Whole market+4.6%3.9%1.17−22.3%+53.9%0.380.70%
24
FTSLFirst Trust Senior Loan Fund · Bank Loans
Whole market+5.0%3.4%1.49−22.7%+52.0%0.370.70%
25
VNLAJanus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF · Ultrashort Bonds
Whole market+4.1%1.1%3.80−4.5%—0.690.25%
26
FLDRFidelity Low Duration Bond Factor ETF · Short-Term Bonds
Whole market+3.9%1.2%3.13−12.2%—0.830.15%
27
TBUXT. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF · Ultrashort Bonds
Whole market+4.2%1.1%3.88−1.8%—0.670.17%
28
BSCRInvesco BulletShares 2027 Corporate Bond ETF · Defined Maturity Corporate Bonds
Whole market+1.8%4.1%0.46−17.3%—0.910.10%
29
FLBLFranklin Senior Loan ETF · Bank Loans
Whole market+5.2%3.9%1.35−19.5%—0.390.45%
30
LQDHiShares Interest Rate Hedged Corporate Bond ETF · Investment Grade Bonds
Whole market+5.2%4.4%1.20−24.6%+55.7%0.600.44%
31
FLUDFranklin Ultra Short Bond ETF · Ultrashort Bonds
Whole market+3.9%1.4%2.77−1.7%—0.490.15%
32
NFLTVirtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF · Multisector Bonds
Same or nearby category+2.8%4.6%0.64−15.1%+41.7%0.910.50%
33
INMUiShares Intermediate Muni Income Active ETF · Intermediate Municipal Bonds
Whole market+1.4%3.8%0.40−10.7%—0.900.41%
34
JPIBJPMorgan International Bond Opportunities ETF · International Bonds
Whole market+2.6%4.2%0.63−13.1%—0.890.50%
35
UCONFirst Trust Smith Unconstrained Bond ETF · Multisector Bonds
Same or nearby category+2.3%4.0%0.60−15.3%—0.930.86%
36
PREFPrincipal Spectrum Preferred Securities Active ETF · Preferred Securities
Whole market+2.5%4.9%0.52−23.0%—0.750.55%
37
FLMIFranklin Dynamic Municipal Bond ETF · Municipal Bonds
Whole market+1.6%4.6%0.36−14.6%—0.920.30%
38
IBTGiShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Treasury ETF · Target Maturity Treasuries
Whole market+1.3%3.2%0.42−13.6%—0.840.07%
39
KORPAmerican Century Diversified Corporate Bond ETF · Corporate Bonds
Whole market+1.5%5.5%0.29−14.9%—0.980.29%

IUSB against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against IUSB, compared period by period and year by year.

How do IUSB's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at IUSB, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than IUSB with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

4.0%6.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%18.0%−2.0%0.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityIUSB: 0.2% a year, volatility 5.9%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%USIG: 0.2% a year, volatility 6.8%LQD: −0.7% a year, volatility 8.7%BOND: 0.2% a year, volatility 5.9%JCPB: 0.8% a year, volatility 5.5%TIP: 0.0% a year, volatility 6.2%TOTL: 0.3% a year, volatility 5.7%MBB: 0.1% a year, volatility 7.0%SCHZ: −0.1% a year, volatility 6.2%AGG: −0.1% a year, volatility 6.2%BND: −0.2% a year, volatility 6.1%GOVT: −0.6% a year, volatility 6.0%JNK: 3.2% a year, volatility 7.6%HYG: 3.3% a year, volatility 7.5%EMB: 1.5% a year, volatility 9.8%FALN: 2.7% a year, volatility 7.4%IGIB: 1.0% a year, volatility 6.6%VCIT: 0.8% a year, volatility 6.7%GTO: −0.3% a year, volatility 5.7%SPBO: 0.2% a year, volatility 7.2%FBND: 0.5% a year, volatility 6.0%BNDX: 0.2% a year, volatility 4.9%IUSBSPY (S&P 500)USIGLQDBONDJCPBGOVTJNKHYGEMBFALNIGIBBNDX2.5%5.0%7.5%10.0%12.5%15.0%17.5%−2.5%0.0%2.5%5.0%7.5%10.0%12.5%15.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityIUSB: 0.2% a year, volatility 5.9%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%USIG: 0.2% a year, volatility 6.8%LQD: −0.7% a year, volatility 8.7%BOND: 0.2% a year, volatility 5.9%JCPB: 0.8% a year, volatility 5.5%TIP: 0.0% a year, volatility 6.2%TOTL: 0.3% a year, volatility 5.7%MBB: 0.1% a year, volatility 7.0%SCHZ: −0.1% a year, volatility 6.2%AGG: −0.1% a year, volatility 6.2%BND: −0.2% a year, volatility 6.1%GOVT: −0.6% a year, volatility 6.0%JNK: 3.2% a year, volatility 7.6%HYG: 3.3% a year, volatility 7.5%EMB: 1.5% a year, volatility 9.8%FALN: 2.7% a year, volatility 7.4%IGIB: 1.0% a year, volatility 6.6%VCIT: 0.8% a year, volatility 6.7%GTO: −0.3% a year, volatility 5.7%SPBO: 0.2% a year, volatility 7.2%FBND: 0.5% a year, volatility 6.0%BNDX: 0.2% a year, volatility 4.9%IUSBSPY (S&P 500)LQDBONDGOVTJNKHYGEMB
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF+3.3%7.5%
JNK State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF+3.2%7.6%
FALN iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF+2.7%7.4%
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF+1.5%9.8%
IGIB iShares 5-10 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF+1.0%6.6%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF+0.8%6.7%
JCPB JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF+0.8%5.5%
FBND Fidelity Total Bond ETF+0.5%6.0%
TOTL State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF+0.3%5.7%
IUSB This pageiShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF+0.2%5.9%
SPBO State Street SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF+0.2%7.2%
USIG iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF+0.2%6.8%
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF+0.2%4.9%
BOND PIMCO Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund+0.2%5.9%
MBB iShares MBS ETF+0.1%7.0%
TIP iShares TIPS Bond ETF0.0%6.2%
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF−0.1%6.2%
SCHZ Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF−0.1%6.2%
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF−0.2%6.1%
GTO Invesco Total Return Bond ETF−0.3%5.7%
GOVT iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF−0.6%6.0%
LQD iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF−0.7%8.7%
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Has IUSB consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares IUSB with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than IUSB helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than IUSB over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (this page)—0.0%−0.6%−1.5%−0.7%−0.9%+18.0%+1.1%+17.8%5.9%0.07−17.9%0.06%$49B—
JNK BondsState Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF2/5 short3/3 long−1.8%−1.7%−1.3%0.0%+1.6%+27.6%+17.0%+49.9%7.6%0.46−22.9%0.40%$5.7B—
HYG BondsiShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF2/5 short3/3 long−1.6%−1.6%−1.3%−0.1%+1.4%+27.5%+17.7%+49.9%7.5%0.47−22.0%0.49%$17B—
EMB BondsiShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF1/5 short3/3 long−1.5%−2.5%−2.6%−1.2%+0.2%+32.8%+7.5%+26.8%9.8%0.20−28.7%0.39%$13B—
FALN BondsiShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF0/5 short3/3 long−2.4%−3.4%−2.8%−1.5%−0.7%+27.6%+14.2%+66.8%7.4%0.40−29.2%0.25%$1.6B—
IGIB BondsiShares 5-10 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF0/5 short3/3 long−0.2%−1.6%−2.6%−2.0%−1.9%+22.3%+4.9%+30.0%6.6%0.18−20.6%0.04%$19B—
VCIT BondsVanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF0/5 short3/3 long−0.2%−1.5%−2.6%−2.0%−1.9%+21.8%+4.1%+27.7%6.7%0.15−20.6%0.03%$69B—
GTO BondsInvesco Total Return Bond ETF0/5 short2/3 long−0.4%−1.1%−1.8%−1.0%−1.1%+18.6%−1.5%+26.6%5.7%-0.02−20.6%0.35%$2.5B—
SPBO BondsState Street SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF0/5 short2/3 long−0.2%−0.6%−1.8%−0.9%−1.4%+20.9%+1.1%+26.4%7.2%0.07−22.0%0.03%$2.1B—
USIG BondsiShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF0/5 short2/3 long−0.1%−1.0%−2.0%−1.3%−1.7%+20.0%+1.1%+24.6%6.8%0.07−21.4%0.04%$18B—
FBND IndustrialsFidelity Total Bond ETF0/5 short2/3 long−0.1%−0.8%−1.7%−0.9%−1.3%+18.5%+2.4%+23.1%6.0%0.11−17.3%0.36%$28B—
LQD BondsiShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF0/5 short2/3 long−0.3%−1.0%−2.7%−1.9%−3.0%+20.0%−3.5%+22.0%8.7%-0.04−25.0%0.14%$29B—
BOND BondsPIMCO Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund0/5 short2/3 long+0.1%−0.9%−1.9%−0.9%−1.1%+20.3%+0.8%+20.5%5.9%0.06−19.7%0.56%$8.5B—
JCPB BondsJPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF0/5 short2/3 long0.0%−0.7%−1.5%−0.5%−0.6%+20.2%+4.0%—5.5%0.17−16.7%0.40%$16B—
BINC BondsiShares Flexible Income Active ETF3/5 short1/3 long−0.9%−1.1%−0.8%−0.1%+0.7%+21.3%————−2.7%0.52%$17B—
TIP BondsiShares TIPS Bond ETF2/5 short1/3 long+0.7%−0.6%−1.3%+0.1%−1.1%+14.2%+0.1%+24.6%6.2%0.03−14.5%0.18%$14B—
TOTL BondsState Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF0/5 short1/3 long+0.2%−0.9%−2.4%−2.0%−2.1%+17.7%+1.7%+13.5%5.7%0.09−16.5%0.55%$3.7B—
MBB BondsiShares MBS ETF0/5 short1/3 long+0.3%−1.2%−2.4%−1.2%−1.1%+19.4%+0.3%+10.5%7.0%0.04−17.7%0.04%$35B—
CGCP BondsCapital Group Core Plus Income ETF0/5 short1/3 long−0.2%−0.8%−1.9%−1.2%−1.2%+18.9%————−15.1%0.34%$8.4B—
BNDX BondsVanguard Total International Bond ETF1/5 short0/3 long+0.1%−0.7%−0.8%−0.4%−1.3%+13.4%+1.0%+15.4%4.9%0.06−16.2%0.07%$122B—
SCHZ BondsSchwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF0/5 short0/3 long+0.2%−0.5%−1.5%−0.8%−1.2%+16.8%−0.8%+16.1%6.2%0.01−18.7%0.03%$11B—
AGG BondsiShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF0/5 short0/3 long+0.2%−0.5%−1.5%−0.8%−1.2%+16.8%−0.6%+14.4%6.2%0.01−18.4%0.03%$139B—
BND BondsVanguard Total Bond Market ETF0/5 short0/3 long+0.3%−0.7%−1.7%−1.0%−1.4%+16.3%−1.0%+14.3%6.1%0.00−18.6%0.03%$389B—
SPAB BondsState Street SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF0/5 short0/3 long+0.2%−0.5%−1.6%−0.8%−1.2%+16.7%−0.7%+14.3%6.0%0.01−18.5%0.03%$10B—
GOVT BondsiShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF0/5 short0/3 long+0.5%−0.2%−1.2%−0.7%−1.3%+13.2%−2.8%+8.2%6.0%-0.07−19.1%0.05%$42B—
BKAG BondsBNY Mellon Core Bond ETF0/5 short0/3 long+0.3%−0.5%−1.5%−0.9%−1.2%+16.7%−0.9%—6.1%0.00−18.5%0.00%$1.5B—
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How did IUSB do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2015, along with where IUSB ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with IUSB and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Note: IUSB began trading on June 12, 2014, so the table starts with 2015, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of IUSB; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places IUSB among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of IUSB20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IUSB This pageiShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF—+7.4%+2.1%+6.2%−13.0%−1.3%+7.6%+9.1%−0.3%+3.8%+4.0%+0.4%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 0 of 1116 of 2316 of 2314 of 229 of 2211 of 2213 of 2212 of 219 of 2112 of 2111 of 1911 of 18
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF9 of 11+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%
JNK State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF8 of 11+8.8%+7.7%+12.4%−12.2%+4.0%+4.9%+14.9%−3.3%+6.5%+14.4%−6.8%
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF8 of 11+8.6%+8.0%+11.6%−11.0%+3.8%+4.5%+14.1%−2.0%+6.1%+13.4%−5.0%
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF7 of 11+13.9%+5.5%+10.6%−18.6%−2.2%+5.4%+15.5%−5.5%+10.3%+9.3%+1.0%
FALN iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF7 of 9+8.9%+7.7%+13.5%−13.8%+5.4%+14.9%+17.4%−5.0%+8.7%——
IGIB iShares 5-10 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF5 of 11+9.6%+3.5%+9.2%−14.0%−1.7%+9.7%+14.6%−0.7%+3.5%+3.3%+0.6%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF7 of 11+9.3%+3.2%+9.0%−14.0%−1.8%+9.4%+14.1%−1.8%+5.3%+5.3%+0.9%
GTO Invesco Total Return Bond ETF5 of 9+7.2%+2.6%+6.0%−14.8%−0.4%+10.8%+11.7%−0.8%+7.4%——
SPBO State Street SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF5 of 11+7.8%+2.6%+8.8%−15.7%−1.4%+10.3%+14.7%−1.8%+5.4%+5.0%−1.5%
USIG iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF5 of 11+7.9%+2.6%+8.7%−15.3%−1.3%+9.4%+14.0%−2.2%+5.7%+5.6%−1.5%
FBND Fidelity Total Bond ETF5 of 11+7.6%+2.1%+6.8%−12.5%−0.4%+9.4%+9.8%−0.6%+3.5%+6.7%−1.0%
LQD iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF6 of 11+7.9%+0.9%+9.4%−17.9%−1.8%+11.0%+17.4%−3.8%+7.0%+6.2%−1.3%
BOND PIMCO Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund6 of 11+8.4%+2.8%+6.5%−14.6%−0.8%+7.8%+8.5%+0.4%+4.8%+2.8%+1.2%
JCPB JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF5 of 6+8.0%+2.9%+7.1%−12.9%−0.5%+9.2%—————
BINC iShares Flexible Income Active ETF1 of 2+7.6%+5.8%—————————
TIP iShares TIPS Bond ETF4 of 11+6.8%+1.7%+3.8%−12.3%+5.7%+10.8%+8.4%−1.4%+2.9%+4.7%−1.8%
TOTL State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF3 of 10+7.7%+3.1%+5.6%−11.6%−1.0%+3.6%+6.9%+0.8%+3.5%+2.8%—
MBB iShares MBS ETF4 of 11+8.4%+1.3%+5.0%−11.7%−1.6%+4.1%+6.2%+0.8%+2.5%+1.3%+1.1%
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF5 of 11+2.9%+3.6%+8.8%−12.8%−2.3%+4.6%+7.8%+2.8%+2.4%+4.6%+1.2%
SCHZ Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF1 of 11+7.2%+1.3%+5.6%−13.2%−1.7%+7.4%+8.7%−0.1%+5.4%+2.2%+0.4%
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF0 of 11+7.2%+1.3%+5.7%−13.0%−1.8%+7.5%+8.5%+0.1%+3.6%+2.4%+0.5%
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF0 of 11+7.1%+1.4%+5.7%−13.1%−1.9%+7.7%+8.8%−0.1%+3.6%+2.5%+0.6%
GOVT iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF2 of 11+3.8%+3.0%+4.2%−13.4%−1.1%+7.3%+7.3%+0.3%+2.2%+0.8%+0.9%
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Risk and diversification

How IUSB has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were IUSB's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents IUSB's two deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2014, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Note: IUSB began trading on June 12, 2014, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.

Green means IUSB fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringIUSB fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2022 bear market−17.9%+0.2%Dec 2020Oct 202222 monthsOct 20253 years
Covid crash−9.9%−19.1%Mar 2020Mar 2020Under a monthJun 20203 months

How did IUSB do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far IUSB, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Note: IUSB began trading on June 12, 2014, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than IUSB.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
IUSB This pageiShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF—0.0%−14.8%−9.9%−1.1%−0.8%−1.7%Not yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet tradingNot yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF0 of 6−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
JNK State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF0 of 6−1.1%−16.3%−22.9%−7.1%−1.6%−13.2%−10.1%0.0%——
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF0 of 6−1.1%−15.3%−22.0%−6.4%−1.5%−10.5%−9.8%0.0%−34.2%—
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF0 of 6−0.2%−24.8%−26.6%−4.5%−2.0%−4.6%−7.1%0.0%——
FALN iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF0 of 5−0.7%−17.7%−29.1%−7.6%−2.2%—————
IGIB iShares 5-10 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF0 of 60.0%−17.3%−16.2%−1.4%−0.5%−1.4%−1.8%−0.7%−14.5%—
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF0 of 60.0%−17.4%−16.9%−1.2%−1.0%−2.0%−3.0%0.0%——
GTO Invesco Total Return Bond ETF1 of 60.0%−17.2%−11.3%−2.8%−0.9%0.0%−31.8%−5.3%——
SPBO State Street SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF0 of 60.0%−18.6%−20.0%−1.9%−0.8%−2.3%−1.8%———
USIG iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF0 of 6−0.1%−18.1%−18.9%−1.9%−1.0%−2.1%−2.4%−0.7%−22.2%—
FBND Fidelity Total Bond ETF0 of 60.0%−14.4%−16.1%−1.1%−1.4%−3.2%————
LQD iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF0 of 6−0.1%−21.3%−21.8%−2.6%−1.2%−2.7%−3.2%0.0%−21.5%—
BOND PIMCO Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund0 of 60.0%−16.5%−10.9%−1.1%−0.7%−1.8%————
JCPB JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF2 of 30.0%−14.3%−6.1%———————
TIP iShares TIPS Bond ETF0 of 60.0%−14.3%−11.2%−2.0%−1.1%−2.5%−3.8%−0.2%−14.4%—
TOTL State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF2 of 60.0%−13.2%−7.3%−0.7%−0.6%−1.3%————
MBB iShares MBS ETF2 of 60.0%−14.4%−4.3%−1.1%−0.6%−1.0%−0.8%0.0%−3.8%—
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF4 of 60.0%−13.7%−5.9%−0.8%−0.2%−1.1%————
SCHZ Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF0 of 60.0%−14.6%−10.3%−1.1%−0.7%−1.6%−1.4%———
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF0 of 60.0%−14.5%−9.6%−1.1%−0.8%−1.5%−1.3%−0.4%−12.8%—
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF1 of 60.0%−14.6%−8.7%−1.1%−0.9%−1.5%−1.1%−0.2%−9.3%—
GOVT iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF3 of 60.0%−13.0%−4.6%−0.9%−0.3%−2.1%————
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How closely does IUSB move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares IUSB with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than IUSB's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
IUSB This pageiShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF15%20%0.740.16
FALN iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF42%47%0.880.49
TIP iShares TIPS Bond ETF15%17%0.870.18
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF34%40%0.840.39
JNK State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF35%43%0.830.41
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF11%13%0.830.14
GTO Invesco Total Return Bond ETF19%24%0.800.22
FBND Fidelity Total Bond ETF17%21%0.800.18
IGIB iShares 5-10 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF22%29%0.780.27
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF22%29%0.760.26
BOND PIMCO Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund16%22%0.730.19
SPBO State Street SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF22%31%0.720.27
USIG iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF22%31%0.710.27
SCHZ Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF14%20%0.710.16
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF12%17%0.710.14
GOVT iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF6%8%0.710.06
TOTL State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF13%18%0.690.15
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF13%19%0.690.15
LQD iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF25%39%0.640.33
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF36%56%0.630.46
MBB iShares MBS ETF13%21%0.620.14
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What diversifies IUSB?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with IUSB's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing IUSB with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which IUSB lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% IUSB and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20222021201880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (this page)1.00+1.1%0.07−13.0%−1.3%−0.3%6.6%−0.3%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.27+225%1.34+6.0%+18.0%−19.8%6.4%+4.8%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.49+103%1.06+10.4%+23.1%−8.7%7.1%+2.8%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.10+178%0.94+64.4%+53.3%−18.2%7.8%+4.6%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.40+120%0.93−0.8%−4.2%−1.9%7.3%+3.4%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.43+130%0.91−10.4%+22.7%−0.9%8.0%+4.1%
AMLP EnergyAlerian MLP ETF0.22+114%0.90+25.5%+39.1%−12.6%7.0%+3.5%
DBA AlternativesInvesco DB Agriculture Fund0.07+66.7%0.81+2.5%+22.3%−8.7%5.9%+2.0%
PTLC Broad MarketPacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF0.47+56.0%0.81−8.6%+27.0%+1.5%6.6%+1.9%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20222021201880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (this page)1.00+1.1%0.07−13.0%−1.3%−0.3%6.6%−0.3%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.25+471%1.54+54.1%−0.4%−24.5%8.3%+7.0%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.12+2,780%1.43+1.3%+37.9%−16.3%13.4%+18.9%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.10+397%1.41+51.8%+44.2%−28.4%7.6%+6.5%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.19+1,452%1.41+17.0%+89.0%+0.8%11.2%+15.1%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.10+660%1.39+86.6%+61.0%−8.2%8.7%+8.9%
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Common questions

What was IUSB's worst drawdown?

IUSB's deepest decline since it began trading in 2014 was 17.9%, from December 2020 to October 2022. It took about three years from the low to climb back to its old high. Because IUSB launched in June 2014, that record does not include the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis or two other sell-offs.

What were IUSB's best and worst years?

Over 11 full calendar years, IUSB's best year was 2019, when it returned 9.1%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -13.0%.

Is there a better investment than IUSB?

VCIT tracks the same thing for 0.03% a year against IUSB's 0.06%, and has kept pace over the past decade: about $30 less in fees on $10,000 over 10 years. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, AFIF (multisector bonds) and NFLT (multisector bonds) earned more than IUSB with less volatility over the past 5 years. AFIF returned 3.6% a year at 4.5% volatility, against 0.2% a year at 5.9%.

Is IUSB more volatile than the S&P 500?

No. IUSB's volatility over the past 5 years was 5.9%, 34% of the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, IUSB's return lands within 5.9% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is IUSB's Sharpe ratio?

IUSB's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.07, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so IUSB earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is IUSB with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, IUSB's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.64 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against IUSB instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a IUSB holding.

What are the best alternatives to IUSB?

None of the 25 popular alternatives we compared outperformed IUSB in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, which says more about IUSB's strength than about its alternatives.

Did IUSB outperform the S&P 500?

IUSB finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of 11 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +7.4%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did IUSB do in stock market crashes?

IUSB fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in six of the six major crashes it has traded through, and further in no. The clearest case was the Covid crash, when IUSB fell 9.9% and the S&P 500 fell 33.7%.

What diversifies IUSB?

These had a low correlation with IUSB over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.27), EMLP (correlation 0.49) and XLE (correlation 0.10); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.25), CLS (correlation 0.12) and MCK (correlation 0.10). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to IUSB

Other stocks and ETFs