iSHARES iBONDS ETFs

Discover fixed maturity ETFs.

VIEW ALL iBONDS ETFs
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WHAT ARE iBONDS ETFs?

iBonds ETFs are bond ETFs that have a fixed maturity date. An iBonds ETF holds a diversified basket of bonds with similar maturity dates and distributes a final payment at maturity. For more information on the final payment see the below section on ‘when the iBonds ETF matures’.

iBonds ETFs combine the benefits of investing in ETFs and individual bonds, offering an efficient tool that matures like an individual bond, while trading on a stock exchange at low cost.

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

WHAT ARE iBONDS ETFs DESIGNED TO DO?

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Mature like a bond

iBonds have a specified maturity date. The ETFs distribute the final payment at maturity, similar to traditional bonds.*
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Trade like a stock

iBonds trade on stock exchanges, just like single stocks. ETFs also offer flexibility to enter and exit a trade at any time during trading hours.
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Diversify like a fund

iBonds offer investors access to multiple bonds in one trade, helping diversify their investments and avoid the risk of exposure to one single issuer.

Risk: Diversification and asset allocation may not fully protect you from market risk.

*The final payment that an investor will receive includes the initial investment (principal amount) along with any income generated by the ETF, such as interest payments from the underlying bonds. The fund’s liabilities such as fees and accrued expenses will get deducted from this final payment.

Two main risks related to fixed income investing are interest rate risk and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in the market value of bonds. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the bond will not be able to repay the principal and make interest payments.

BENEFITS OF iBONDS ETFs

The unique features of iBonds ETFs can help you access bond markets, pick points in time, or could even match expected cash flow needs in the future.

  • Easily access bonds – iBonds ETFs provide easy access to bonds, with one trade, you gain exposure to a selection of bonds and could generate regular income.
  • Be flexible – iBonds ETFs are available in a range of maturities, so you can choose how long you want to invest your money for. If your needs change, so can your investment. You can buy or sell iBonds ETFs at any time on the stock exchange (during trading hours).
  • Diversify at low cost – iBonds ETFs provide exposure to a selection of bonds across various regions and parts of the bond market, at relatively low cost compared to trading individual bonds.
  • Match expected cash flows - iBonds ETFs mature at a specific date. So, investors could expect a final payment at maturity, which could help fund life stage planning, such as buying a car or a house, college tuition or retirement.

iBonds ETFs combine the best features of individual bonds and ETF investing offering investors an efficient tool that matures like an individual bond while trading on an exchange at low cost like a traditional bond ETF.

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See how iBonds ETFs compare to other investment tools:
FeaturesiBonds ETFsTraditional bond ETFsIndividual bonds
Diversified (Exposure to a basket of bonds)YesYesNo
Known maturity date (Matures at a fixed date)YesNoYes
Trades on a stock exchange (How easy you can buy and sell)YesYesNo

Two main risks related to fixed income investing are interest rate risk and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in the market value of bonds. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the bond will not be able to repay the principal and make interest payments.

What happens at the time of purchase of an iBonds ETF?

When you are ready to purchase an iBonds ETF, we have tools to help you understand the estimated net acquisition yield of the fund. The estimated net acquisition yield provides a yield estimate, net of fees and market price impact, if the fund is held to maturity.

On each iBonds ETFs product page, the Estimated Net Acquisition Yield Calculator can provide a yield estimate if you enter a projected market price.
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For illustrative purposes only.

What happens during the holding period of an iBonds ETF?

iBonds ETFs are designed to provide a yield-to-maturity ("YTM") profile comparable to that of the underlying bond portfolio. The funds seek to preserve an investor’s anticipated yield-to-maturity through a combination of regular coupon distributions (regular payment that bond holders provide for lending their money to the bond issuer) and a final payment.

Yield to maturity (YTM) is a financial term used to describe the total return anticipated on a bond if it's held until its maturity date.

What happens when the iBonds ETF matures?

iBonds ETFs terminate in December of the year in the fund’s name. In the final months when the bonds in the portfolio mature (maturity transition period), the fund's holdings transition to cash securities and cash equivalents (such as treasury bills and commercial papers). After all the bonds in the portfolio mature, the ETF is closed and shareholders receive a final payment.
Video 02:15

iBONDS: DISCOVER FIXED MATURITY ETFs

Capital at risk

Marketing material

 

iBonds: Discover fixed maturity ETFs

 

Vasiliki Pachatouridi, Head of iShares Fixed Income Product Strategy EMEA

 

What are iBonds ETFs?

iBonds ETFs are an innovative suite of bond ETFs that have a fixed maturity date. An iBond ETF holds a diversified basket of bonds with similar maturity dates, and distributes a final pay out at maturity.

 

Risk: Diversification and asset allocation may not fully protect you from market risk.

 

Why iBonds ETFs?
Traditional bond ETFs do not have a maturity date, as bonds within the ETF mature, and new bonds are being added. This gives a continuous, rolling exposure to bond markets.

In contrast, like individual bonds, iBonds ETFs have a fixed maturity date. So, there is less exposure to interest rate risk as maturity approaches. This means investors can expect a final repayment at maturity, in addition to regular income.

 

What are the benefits of iBonds ETFs?

There are a number of benefits of iBonds ETFs.

 

Firstly, iBonds ETFs give easy access to the bond market. Generally, bonds are difficult to trade, as they are not listed on an exchange. With iBonds ETFs, you gain exposure to a basket of bonds with the click of a button – traded on an exchange, just like a stock.

 

Second, iBonds ETFs offer diversification. iBonds track an underlying index and provide exposure to hundreds of bonds, across various sectors and countries.

 

Finally, iBonds ETFs have a fixed maturity date. You can choose your time horizon and invest for a period which works for your needs. iBonds ETFs are available in a range of maturities, meaning you can choose how long you want to invest your money for.

 

In summary, iBonds ETFs allow you to access bond markets in an efficient way, giving exposure to a diversified set of bonds, while incorporating a fixed maturity date.

 

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Risk: When interest rates rise, there is usually a decline in the market value of bonds, and the issuer of the bond may not be able to repay and make interest payments.

 

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Risk Warnings

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future results and should not be the sole factor of consideration when selecting a product or strategy. Changes in the rates of exchange between currencies may cause the value of investments to diminish or increase. Fluctuation may be particularly marked in the case of a higher volatility fund and the value of an investment may fall suddenly and substantially. Levels and basis of taxation may change from time to time.

 

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