IGEB vs IUSB
iShares Investment Grade Systematic Bond ETF vs iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF
Which is better, IGEB or IUSB?
Each has led over a different period.
IUSB has a lower expense ratio. IGEB led over the full window, IUSB over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | IGEB | IUSB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $48.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.34% | 4.43% |
| Holdings | 449 | 17,578 |
| YTD Return | -5.26% | -1.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.62% | -1.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.76% | +5.16%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.48% | -0.01%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.3% | 5.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.1% | -18.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,762 | $9,995Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Long Term Mid Quality |
| Inception | Jul 11, 2017 | Jun 10, 2014 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 13, 2017 to Oct 15, 2026 (9.3 years).
IGEB vs IUSB 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 9.3 years both funds cover.
IGEB vs IUSB Performance
iShares Investment Grade Systematic Bond ETF (IGEB) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year IGEB returned -5.62% while IUSB returned -1.08%. Year to date, IGEB is down 5.26% versus a loss of 1.34% for IUSB.
Over three years, IGEB compounded at +4.76% per year against +5.16% for IUSB; over five years the annualized figures are -0.48% and -0.01% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, IGEB has the edge at +2.29% annualized vs +0.59%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IGEB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.3% compared with 5.3% for IUSB. 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 -21.1% for IGEB and -18.9% for IUSB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGEB charges 0.18% per year while IUSB charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $6 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IGEB currently yields 5.34% against 4.43% for IUSB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 345 holdings in IGEB and 12,897 in IUSB, totalling 81.2% and 59.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 327 positions appear in both.
327 positions in common, counted across the 345 positions we hold weights for in IGEB and 12,897 in IUSB, against full books of 449 and 17,578.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IGEB | Weight in IUSB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 1.41% | 0.00% | 1.41% |
| HSBC V3.973 05/22/30HSBC Holdings PLC 3.9730% Mat 05/22/2030 | 0.52% | 0.01% | 0.51% |
| PRU V5.7 09/15/48Prudential Financial, Inc. 5.7% 15-Sep-2048 | 0.51% | 0.00% | 0.51% |
| SPLLLC 4.5 05/15/30Sabine Pass Liquefaction Sr Secured 15/05/30 4.5 | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| BAC V6.204 11/10/28Bank of America Corporation, 6.204% 10nov2028, USD (N) | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| BRITEL 9.625 12/15/3British Telecommunications Plc 8.625% 12/15/2030 | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| JPM V2.545 11/08/32Jpmorgan Chase + Co Sr Unsecured 11/32 Var 2.545 11/08/2032 | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| JPM V2.963 01/25/33Jpmorgan Chase & Co. 1D US Sofr + 1.26 01/25/2033 | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| MS V3.591 07/22/28Morgan Stanley 3.591 07/22/2028 | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| GOOGL 2.25 08/15/60Alphabet Inc 2.25 Aug 15, 2060 | 0.50% | 0.00% | 0.50% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IGEB and IUSB you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IGEB or IUSB?
IGEB has an expense ratio of 0.18% while IUSB charges 0.06%. IUSB is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IGEB or IUSB?
Over the past year IGEB returned -5.62% vs -1.08% for IUSB, so IUSB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), IGEB annualized +2.29% vs +0.59% for IUSB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGEB or IUSB?
IGEB has been the more volatile fund at 7.3% annualized versus 5.3% for IUSB. Worst drawdown: IGEB -21.1% vs IUSB -18.9%.
Should I hold both IGEB and IUSB?
IGEB and IUSB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGEB or IUSB?
IGEB yields 5.34% while IUSB yields 4.43%, so IGEB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IUSB better than IGEB?
IUSB has a lower expense ratio. IGEB led over the full window, IUSB over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.