IUSB ETF — iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF

iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB)

Updated October 2, 2026.

IUSB is a low-cost ETF that tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index. its distribution rate is 4.22%, its trailing-12-month yield is 4.42%, its expense ratio is 0.06%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 93/100 (Safe). Total return is 25.8% over the past 12.3 years, 364.1 points behind SPY at 389.9%.

At the current 4.22% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $422 per year, or $35.17 per month.

iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index of U.S. dollar bonds across investment-grade and high-yield sectors. The fund distributes income monthly at a current high distribution rate and carries a very low expense ratio. It appeals to income-focused investors seeking broad exposure to the U.S. bond market with minimal fees.

IUSB performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-02.

Total return is 25.8% over the past 12.3 years, 364.1 points behind SPY at 389.9%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is -1.9%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 4.3%.

IUSB key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

93 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

3.92%

Issuer

iShares

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Fixed Income

Inception date

06/10/2014

Expense ratio

0.06%

Distribution rate

4.22%

Distribution frequency

Monthly

Trailing yield

4.42%

Last close

$43.95 (as of 2026-10-02)

AUM

$47,827,937,018

Average volume

7340988.0

Next dividend

$0.15443

Last ex-dividend date

10/01/2026

Next payment date

10/06/2026 (as of 2026-10-06)

Beta

0.96

P/E ratio

10.4615

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (4.22%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (4.42%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: iShares or company page; Fact sheet; Index: Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

IUSB risks and drawbacks

Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 4.3%.

Who may consider IUSB — and who may not

IUSB may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Frequently asked questions

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