AIPO vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AIPO (Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIPO is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. At a correlation of -0.21, they often move in opposite directions. AIPO charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

AIPO vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIPO achieves a 53.75% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.43% return.

AIPO

• 1D: 3.59%
• 1M: 8.38%
• YTD: 53.75%
• 6M: 48.53%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGUS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.43%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: 3.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AIPO vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	53.75%	8.68%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.43%	1.85%

Correlation

The correlation between AIPO and VGUS is -0.21, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 28, 2025	-0.21

Return for Risk

AIPO vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VGUS

VGUS Risk / Return Rank: 100
VGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AIPO vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AIPO	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	11.97	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.44	11.71	-9.27

Drawdowns

AIPO vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIPO drawdown since its inception was -17.31%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIPO and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIPO	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.31%	-0.07%	-17.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.40%	-0.00%	-4.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.01%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AIPO	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.11%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.18%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.13%	0.33%	+33.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.13%	0.34%	+33.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.13%	0.34%	+33.79%

AIPO vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIPO has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIPO vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

AIPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	0.01%	0.01%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIPO and VGUS in my portfolio?

AIPO and VGUS have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AIPO or VGUS?

On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIPO or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIPO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIPO or VGUS?

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 0.01% for AIPO.

What is the main difference between AIPO and VGUS?

AIPO is categorized as Technology Equities, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. AIPO tracks MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index, while VGUS tracks Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for AIPO and 0.07% for VGUS.