AGG vs OVB
iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF vs Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF
Which is better, AGG or OVB?
Each has led over a different period.
AGG has a lower expense ratio. AGG led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, OVB over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | OVB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.79% |
| AUM | $137.6B | $47M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.19% | 7.91% |
| Holdings | 13,338 | 16 |
| YTD Return | -2.12%Best | -4.97% |
| 1Y Return | -2.06%Best | -5.85% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.55%Best | +4.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.53%Best | -1.34% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.8%Best | 7.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4%Best | -21.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,738Best | $9,348 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Overlay Shares |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Sep 22, 2003 | Sep 30, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2019 to Oct 14, 2026 (7 years).
AGG vs OVB 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 years both funds cover.
AGG vs OVB Performance
iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Overlay Shares Core Bond ETF (OVB) is an ETF from Overlay Shares. Over the past year AGG returned -2.06% while OVB returned -5.85%. Year to date, AGG is down 2.12% versus a loss of 4.97% for OVB.
Over three years, AGG compounded at +4.55% per year against +4.18% for OVB; over five years the annualized figures are -0.53% and -1.34% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, OVB has the edge at +0.46% annualized vs +0.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
OVB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.4% compared with 5.8% for AGG. 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 -21.7% for OVB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. 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 OVB charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $79 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGG currently yields 4.19% against 7.91% for OVB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 11,115 holdings in AGG and 2 in OVB, totalling 67.1% and 100.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 11,115 positions we hold weights for in AGG and 2 in OVB, against full books of 13,338 and 16.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AGG and OVB 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 OVB?
AGG has an expense ratio of 0.03% while OVB charges 0.79%. AGG is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGG or OVB?
Over the past year AGG returned -2.06% vs -5.85% for OVB, so AGG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AGG annualized +0.43% vs +0.46% for OVB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGG or OVB?
OVB has been the more volatile fund at 7.4% annualized versus 5.8% for AGG. Worst drawdown: AGG -18.4% vs OVB -21.7%.
Should I hold both AGG and OVB?
AGG and OVB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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, AGG or OVB?
AGG yields 4.19% while OVB yields 7.91%, so OVB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is OVB better than AGG?
AGG has a lower expense ratio. AGG led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, OVB over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.