What is iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF's average annual return?

Since 2003, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has returned about 2.3% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 3.1%.

What were iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF's best and worst years?

Over 2003–2026, the best year was 2011 (+30.2%) and the worst was 2022 (-31.2%).

How often is iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF up in a year?

14 of the 23 full years since 2003 were positive — about 61% of the time.

TLT

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETFETF · Bonds

$85.51−$0.01 (-0.01%)as of market close, Jul 2, 2026

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TLT returns by year

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF has returned +2.3% annually (CAGR) since 2003. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) below, through July 2, 2026 — the most recent year is year-to-date.

Annualized (CAGR)

+2.3%

2003–2026

Average year

+3.1%

23 full years

Best year

+30.2%

2011

Worst year

-31.2%

2022

Positive years

14/23

61% up

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF returns by year (2003–2026)#

Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return).

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF annual returns by year
Year	Start price	End price	Dividend	Total return
2026YTD	$87.16	$85.51	+1.8%	-0.0%
2025	$87.33	$87.16	+4.4%	+4.2%
2024	$98.88	$87.33	+3.6%	-8.1%
2023	$99.56	$98.88	+3.4%	+2.8%
2022	$148.19	$99.56	+1.6%	-31.2%
2021	$157.73	$148.19	+1.4%	-4.6%
2020	$135.48	$157.73	+1.7%	+18.2%
2019	$121.51	$135.48	+2.6%	+14.1%
2018	$126.86	$121.51	+2.6%	-1.6%
2017	$119.13	$126.86	+2.7%	+9.2%
2016	$120.58	$119.13	+2.4%	+1.2%
2015	$125.92	$120.58	+2.4%	-1.8%
2014	$101.86	$125.92	+3.7%	+27.3%
2013	$121.18	$101.86	+2.6%	-13.4%
2012	$121.25	$121.18	+0.9%	+0.8%
2011	$94.12	$121.25	+1.4%	+30.2%
2010	$89.89	$94.12	+0.0%	+4.7%
2009	$119.35	$89.89	+0.0%	-24.7%
2008	$93.04	$119.35	+0.0%	+28.3%
2007	$88.43	$93.04	+0.8%	+6.0%
2006	$91.90	$88.43	+3.3%	-0.5%
2005	$88.55	$91.90	+0.9%	+4.7%
2004	$85.45	$88.55	+2.9%	+6.6%
2003	$88.57	$85.45	+3.0%	-0.6%

Total return by period

-30%-20%-10%+0%+10%+20%+30%

'03'05'07'09'11'13'15'17'19'21'23'25

Methodology#

Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from TLT's split- and dividend-adjusted closes. The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. See also the periodic table of returns. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.

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FAQ

What is iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF's average annual return?: Since 2003, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has returned about 2.3% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 3.1%.
What were iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF's best and worst years?: Over 2003–2026, the best year was 2011 (+30.2%) and the worst was 2022 (-31.2%).
How often is iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF up in a year?: 14 of the 23 full years since 2003 were positive — about 61% of the time.