IEF: iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds on US government bonds, from a few months to 30 years. The longer the maturity, the larger the moves when interest rates change.
Data updated October 2026
IEF · US exchange · USDCategory: US Treasury bond ETFsData from October 2006
From October 2006 to October 2026 IEF returned 3.1% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $18,523.
Its deepest fall was 23.9%, from August 2020 to October 2023, and it has not yet returned to the previous high. Annual volatility was 6.9%; at the last close it was 13.5% below its high.
Against AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF), over the 240 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.88: they usually moved together. Beta was 1.28. In months when AGG rose, IEF moved 129% as much on average; in months when AGG fell, 141% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +3.1%
- 1-year return
- −4.0%
- 5 years, a year
- −1.5%
- 10 years, a year
- +0.3%
- Annual volatility
- 6.9%
- Maximum drawdown
- −23.9%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.25
- Worst year
- 2022: −15.2%
Trailing returns
| Period | IEF | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | −4.0% | −1.9% |
| 3 years, a year | +4.2% | +5.2% |
| 5 years, a year | −1.5% | −0.3% |
| 10 years, a year | +0.3% | +1.2% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: IEF vs AGG
Month-end values from November 2006, the first month both funds have data.
IEF drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | IEF | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | −3.3% | −1.8% |
| 2025 | +8.0% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | −0.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +3.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −15.2% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −3.3% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +10.0% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +8.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | +1.0% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +2.5% | +3.5% |
| 2016 | +1.0% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | +1.5% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | +9.1% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | −6.1% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +3.7% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | +15.7% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +9.4% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | −6.6% | +3.0% |
| 2008 | +17.9% | +7.9% |
| 2007 | +10.4% | +6.6% |
| 2006(partial) | +1.7% | — |
IEF compared
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of IEF?
From October 2006 to October 2026 IEF returned 3.1% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: −1.5% a year. Over the last 12 months: −4.0%.
What was the worst drawdown of IEF?
23.9%, from August 2020 to October 2023; it has not yet returned to the previous high.
How volatile is IEF?
Annual volatility was 6.9% over the period. Its worst month was −4.7% and 53% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2022 (−15.2%).
How closely does IEF follow AGG?
Over 240 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.88, so they usually moved together, with a beta of 1.28.
Use IEF in a free tool
Other US Treasury bond ETFs
- All US Treasury bond ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- TLT — iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETFCAGR +2.7%
- SHY — iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETFCAGR +1.9%
- GOVT — iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETFCAGR +1.0%
- VGLT — Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETFCAGR +2.5%
- EDV — Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETFCAGR +2.3%
- IEI — iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETFCAGR +2.7%
- VGIT — Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETFCAGR +2.0%
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.