ETF Comparison

ICSH vs NEAR: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF and iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated August 19, 2026

Best for

ICSHInvestors who want fixed-income ballast that steadies the portfolio when stocks fall.
NEARInvestors who want fixed-income ballast that steadies the portfolio when stocks fall.

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

ICSH has outpaced NEAR over the trailing twelve months, posting a 4.06% total return against 3.53%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — NEAR has compounded at 2.88% a year, ahead of ICSH at 2.82%. ICSH has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 0.4% against 1.7% for NEAR. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Symbol	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	10Y	Since Dec 2013	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
ICSH	2.27%	4.06%	5.06%	3.83%	2.82%	2.33%	0.4%	1.05	1.55	-0.1%
NEAR	1.39%	3.53%	5.46%	3.98%	2.88%	2.46%	1.7%	0.50	0.71	-1.2%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 19, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Dec 2013” measures every fund from December 13, 2013 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
Metric	ICSH	NEAR
Full name	iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF
Issuer	iShares	iShares
Last Close	$50.51 as of August 19, 2026	$50.54 as of August 19, 2026
Distribution yield	3.95%	4.37%
Distribution Safety Score™	81	84
Expense ratio	0.08%	0.25%
AUM	$8.49B	$4.88B
Distribution frequency	Monthly	Monthly
Underlying index	Active cash-bond strategy; benchmark: ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index (does not seek to track an index)	—
Objective	Provide current income consistent with preservation of capital via actively managed ultra-short-duration, investment-grade bonds.	Actively managed ETF investing in short-duration USD bonds.
Asset class	Fixed Income	Fixed Income
Inception date	12/11/2013	09/25/2013
Beta	0.04	0.23
Last dividend	$0.1663	$0.1840
Ex-dividend date	08/03/2026	08/03/2026

Bottom lineICSH and NEAR are both for investors who want fixed-income ballast that steadies the portfolio when stocks fall — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Cost is: ICSH charges 0.08% against 0.25% for NEAR, and between two funds this similar that gap comes straight out of your return every year you hold.

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iShares

ETFs473

Total AUM$4710B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

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Quick verdict

ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) and NEAR (iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both monthly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

NEAR offers the higher yield at 4.37% vs 3.95% for ICSH. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

ICSH is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.08% compared to 0.25%.

ICSH is the larger fund by assets ($8.49B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

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Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, ICSH would generate roughly $32.92/month, while NEAR would produce $36.42/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay monthly distributions.

ICSH yield3.95%

NEAR yield4.37%

Monthly diff on $10K$3.50

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, ICSH would cost approximately $80 in fees vs $250 for NEAR (simplified, not compounded). The $170.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

ICSH ER0.08%

NEAR ER0.25%

Strategy & risk

ICSH is actively managed around Active cash-bond strategy; benchmark: ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index (does not seek to track an index) exposure with a fixed income approach, while NEAR is an actively managed ETF. Beta is 0.04 for ICSH and 0.23 for NEAR, making ICSH the less volatile of the two by this measure.

ICSH beta0.04

NEAR beta0.23

Fund details

ICSH is managed by iShares (launched 12/11/2013) with $8.49B in assets. NEAR is managed by iShares (launched 09/25/2013) with $4.88B in assets.

ICSH AUM$8.49B

NEAR AUM$4.88B

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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution yield for ICSH and NEAR?

ICSH currently distributes 3.95% and NEAR 4.37%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is ICSH or NEAR better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. NEAR currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between ICSH and NEAR?

ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) is actively managed around Active cash-bond strategy; benchmark: ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index (does not seek to track an index) exposure with a fixed income approach, while NEAR (iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF) is an actively managed ETF. They are issued by iShares and iShares respectively.

Can I hold both ICSH and NEAR?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is ICSH or NEAR safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — NEAR scores 84, ICSH scores 81, so NEAR's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. ICSH has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.04 vs 0.23 for NEAR). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, ICSH or NEAR?

ICSH has an expense ratio of 0.08% while NEAR charges 0.25%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in ICSH vs NEAR generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in ICSH would generate roughly $32.92 per month ($395.00 annually). The same in NEAR would produce about $36.42 per month ($437.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, ICSH or NEAR?

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ICSH vs NEAR — at a glance

Generated August 15, 2026.

Overview

ICSH and NEAR are both actively managed bond ETFs from iShares designed to deliver current income while limiting interest-rate sensitivity. ICSH focuses on ultra-short-duration, investment-grade bonds with a Treasury bill benchmark, while NEAR invests in a broader short-duration USD bond universe. The key distinction is duration: ICSH targets maximum stability and minimal price volatility, whereas NEAR accepts slightly longer maturity exposure in exchange for higher yield.

How they differ

ICSH's strategy is anchored to the ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index and holds ultra-short bonds, whereas NEAR manages a less constrained short-duration portfolio with no stated index reference. This structural difference drives the second major gap: NEAR's distribution rate is 4.37% compared to ICSH's 3.95%, a 42-basis-point premium that reflects NEAR's longer duration and broader credit exposure. ICSH's beta of 0.04 signals almost no interest-rate sensitivity, while NEAR's beta of 0.23 indicates material but still modest price movement when rates shift. ICSH carries a lower expense ratio of 0.08% versus NEAR's 0.25%, a gap that favors ICSH for very large positions but matters less given both funds' modest fees.

Who each is best for

ICSH: Fits investors seeking maximum capital stability and near-cash-like behavior, willing to accept the lowest yield in exchange for minimal portfolio volatility and virtually no duration risk.

NEAR: Designed for income-focused allocators comfortable with moderate interest-rate sensitivity who value a higher current yield and can tolerate the duration and credit exposure that comes with short-dated bonds beyond Treasury bills.

Key risks to know

Interest-rate sensitivity gap. NEAR's beta of 0.23 and short-duration mandate mean its NAV will decline more than ICSH's when rates rise. During a steep yield-curve shock, NEAR could experience 2–3% price drops while ICSH remains nearly flat, a material difference for investors treating these as cash equivalents.

Credit risk in NEAR. NEAR's broader investment-grade bond universe exposes it to corporate and agency credit spread widening, whereas ICSH's Treasury-heavy ultra-short portfolio carries minimal credit risk. In a credit stress event, NEAR's NAV could lag.

Yield sustainability and reinvestment. Both funds distribute monthly, but NEAR's 4.37% yield on short-duration bonds leaves less room for NAV appreciation if rates decline, potentially relying on higher rollover yields or credit tightening to sustain distributions. ICSH's lower yield is more aligned with its duration profile and benchmark.

Bottom line

If you prioritize capital preservation and minimal volatility, ICSH's ultra-short profile and Treasury-bill anchor stand out; if you're willing to accept modest rate sensitivity in exchange for a higher yield, NEAR offers meaningful additional income. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and rate environment changes will affect both funds differently.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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