ISTBvsBLSTETF Comparison
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iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB) and Bluemonte Short Term Bond ETF (BLST) belong to the same industry segment: US Aggregate Bonds. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Sovereign, Finance and Industrials. ISTB is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.06%, versus 0.27% for BLST. ISTB is up 0.85% year-to-date (YTD) with +$515M in YTD flows. BLST performs worse with 0.3% YTD performance, and +$30M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of ISTB and BLST below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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ISTB vs BLST performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 09/08/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | ISTB BLST | -0.01%-0.03% | +0.55%+0.25% | +0.85%+0.30% | +1.97%+1.26% | +15.84%n/a | +9.89%n/a |
| Flows | ISTB BLST | +$9M+$1M | +$235M+$8M | +$515M+$30M | +$774M+$55M | +$888M- | -$448M- |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | ISTB BLST | +1.75%+2.28% | +1.65%+2.15% | +2.15%n/a | +2.66%n/a |
| Max drawdown | ISTB BLST | -0.46%-0.80% | -1.28%-1.65% | -1.30%n/a | -9.24%n/a |
| Max drawdown duration | ISTB BLST | 28d56d | 156d191d | 133dn/a | 1030dn/a |
Trading data
ISTB | BLST | |
Last sale 9/10/2026 at 1:30 PM | $47.55 | $24.63 |
| Previous close 09/09/2026 | $47.74 | $24.72 |
| Consolidated volume 09/09/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of August 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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BLST
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an indexISTB | BLST | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 9/10/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
ISTB | BLST | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $47.55 | $24.63 |
| 1D performance | -0.40% | -0.36% |
| AuM | $5.12 B | $168.51 M |
| E/R | 0.06% | 0.27% |
Characteristics
ISTB | BLST | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Active |
| Provider | iShares | Bluemonte Investment Management |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg U.S. Universal 1-5 Year Index | - |
| N° of holdings | 7074 | 10429 |
| Asset class | Bonds | - |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | October 18, 2012 | June 23, 2025 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
ISTB
USA
78.76%
Other
21.24%
BLST
USA
85.06%
Other
14.94%
Sectors
ISTB
Sovereign
54.84%
Finance
19.07%
Other
26.09%
BLST
Sovereign
50.21%
Finance
19.85%
Other
29.95%
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Diversification
ISTB
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
12.12%
BLST
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
7.95%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of July 31, 2026
ISTB
USA, Notes 3.875% 15jun2028, USD (AP-2028)
1.08%
BlackRock Cash Funds - Institutional
1.03%
USA, Notes 4% 28feb2030, USD (H-2030)
0.92%
USA, Notes 3.625% 31oct2030, USD (AF-2030)
0.89%
USA, Notes 3.5% 30nov2030, USD (AG-2030)
0.84%
USA, Notes 3.75% 31jan2031, USD (U-2031)
0.83%
USA, Notes 3.625% 30sep2030, USD (AD-2030)
0.80%
USA, Notes 3.625% 31aug2030, USD (AC-2030)
0.80%
USA, Notes 4% 31may2030, USD (Z-2030)
0.76%
USA, Notes 4% 31jul2029, USD (AB-2029)
0.75%
USA, Notes 4.125% 31oct2029, USD (AF-2029)
0.75%
USA, Notes 3.875% 15jul2028, USD (AQ-2028)
0.74%
USA, Notes 4.5% 31may2029, USD (Z-2029)
0.65%
USA, Notes 4.25% 30jun2029, USD (AA-2029)
0.65%
USA, Notes 4.25% 31jan2030, USD (U-2030)
0.64%
BLST
USA, Notes 4.375% 31jul2031, USD (AB-2031)
0.78%
BlackRock Cash Funds - Institutional
0.71%
USA, Notes 3.5% 31jan2028, USD (U-2028)
0.68%
USA, Notes 4% 28feb2030, USD (H-2030)
0.57%
USA, Notes 3.375% 31dec2027, USD (BM-2027)
0.54%
USA, Notes 4.125% 30jun2028, USD (BD-2028)
0.50%
USA, Notes 4.125% 31may2031, USD (Z-2031)
0.48%
USA, Notes 0.875% 15nov2030, USD (F-2030)
0.48%
USA, Notes 3.375% 30nov2027, USD (BL-2027)
0.47%
USA, Notes 0.625% 15aug2030, USD (E-2030)
0.47%
USA, Notes 1.125% 15feb2031, USD (B-2031)
0.47%
USA, Notes 4.375% 31dec2029, USD (AH-2029)
0.46%
USA, Notes 1.625% 15may2031, USD (C-2031)
0.46%
USA, Notes 3.5% 30sep2029, USD (AD-2029)
0.44%
USA, Notes 4.25% 31jul2028, USD (BE-2028)
0.44%
Frequently asked questions about ISTB and BLST
How have the ISTB and BLST ETFs performed in 2026?
As of September 8, 2026, ISTB is up 0.85% year-to-date (YTD), while BLST has returned 0.3%. That puts ISTB better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: ISTB or BLST?
Year-to-date, the ISTB ETF saw +$515M in flows, compared to +$30M for BLST.
Which ETF is more volatile: ISTB or BLST?
Over the past year, ISTB had a volatility of 1.65%, while BLST experienced 2.15%.
Which ETF is bigger: ISTB or BLST?
As of September 8, 2026, ISTB holds $5.12 B in assets under management (AUM), while BLST manages $168.51 M.
What sectors do the ISTB and BLST ETFs invest in?
ISTB leans toward sectors like Sovereign and Finance. Meanwhile, BLST focuses on Sovereign and Finance.
What are the top holdings of the ISTB ETF and BLST ETF?
ISTB top holdings include USA, Notes 3.875% 15jun2028, USD (AP-2028), BlackRock Cash Funds - Institutional and USA, Notes 4% 28feb2030, USD (H-2030). BLST holds in its top three: USA, Notes 4.375% 31jul2031, USD (AB-2031), BlackRock Cash Funds - Institutional and USA, Notes 3.5% 31jan2028, USD (U-2028).
Which ETF is more diversified: ISTB or BLST?
ISTB holds 7395 securities with 12.12% of its assets in the top 15. BLST has 13316 securities and a top 15 weight of 7.95%.
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