AGG vs FLCB
iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF vs Franklin US Core Bond ETF
Which is better, AGG or FLCB?
Nearly the same fund. AGG costs less.
AGG has a lower expense ratio. AGG led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, FLCB over 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AGG | FLCB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.15% |
| AUM | $139.2B | $3.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.12% | 4.47% |
| Holdings | 26,818 | 959 |
| YTD Return | -0.33%Best | -0.42% |
| 1Y Return | -0.06%Best | -0.16% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.67% | +4.72%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.23%Best | -0.32% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.8% | 5.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4%Best | -20.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,886Best | $9,841 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Sep 22, 2003 | Sep 17, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 19, 2019 to Nov 6, 2026 (7.1 years).
AGG vs FLCB growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 7.1 years both funds cover.
AGG vs FLCB Performance
iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Franklin US Core Bond ETF (FLCB) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US). Over the past year AGG returned -0.06% while FLCB returned -0.16%. Year to date, AGG is down 0.33% versus a loss of 0.42% for FLCB.
Over three years, AGG compounded at +4.67% per year against +4.72% for FLCB; over five years the annualized figures are -0.23% and -0.32% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, AGG has the edge at +0.78% annualized vs +0.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AGG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.8% compared with 5.7% for FLCB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -18.4% for AGG and -20.4% for FLCB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGG charges 0.03% per year while FLCB charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $15 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGG currently yields 4.12% against 4.47% for FLCB.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.6% of FLCB's money is in holdings AGG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for AGG, our book for it covers 64.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
FLCB and AGG share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 11,057 positions we hold weights for in AGG and 285 in FLCB, against full books of 26,818 and 959.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AGG | Weight in FLCB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LRCXLam Research Corporation | 0.00% | 0.57% | 0.57% |
| GEGeneral Electric Co. | 0.00% | 0.30% | 0.30% |
| KDPKeurig Dr Pepper Inc (kdp Us) | 0.00% | 0.19% | 0.19% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 0.00% | 0.17% | 0.17% |
| ADMArcher-daniels D | 0.00% | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc. Class B | 0.00% | 0.09% | 0.09% |
| LYBLyondellbasell-a | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| PPLPpl Corp (Utilities) | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AGG and FLCB you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AGG or FLCB?
AGG has an expense ratio of 0.03% while FLCB charges 0.15%. AGG is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGG or FLCB?
Over the past year AGG returned -0.06% vs -0.16% for FLCB, so AGG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AGG annualized +0.78% vs +0.18% for FLCB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGG or FLCB?
AGG has been the more volatile fund at 5.8% annualized versus 5.7% for FLCB. Worst drawdown: AGG -18.4% vs FLCB -20.4%.
Should I hold both AGG and FLCB?
AGG and FLCB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AGG and FLCB?
At least 1.6% of FLCB's money is in holdings AGG also owns. Our book for AGG is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 11,057 positions we hold weights for in AGG and 285 in FLCB.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGG or FLCB?
AGG yields 4.12% while FLCB yields 4.47%, so FLCB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FLCB better than AGG?
AGG has a lower expense ratio. AGG led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, FLCB over 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.