BBBS vs. VUSB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BBBS (Bondbloxx BBB Rated 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF) and VUSB (Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BBBS is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate BBB 1-5 Year Index, while VUSB is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. BBBS is passively managed, while VUSB is actively managed. Over the past year, BBBS returned 4.65% vs 4.59% for VUSB. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BBBS charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VUSB.

Performance

BBBS vs. VUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bondbloxx BBB Rated 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (BBBS) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBBS achieves a 0.75% return, which is significantly lower than VUSB's 1.39% return.

BBBS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.75%
• 6M: 1.13%
• 1Y: 4.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VUSB

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 4.59%
• 3Y*: 5.34%
• 5Y*: 3.43%
• 10Y*: —

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

BBBS vs. VUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BBBS Bondbloxx BBB Rated 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF	0.75%	6.67%	4.96%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.39%	5.20%	5.30%

Correlation

The correlation between BBBS and VUSB is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2024	0.76

The correlation between BBBS and VUSB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

BBBS vs. VUSB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBBS	VUSB
Healthcare	1.0%	-
Communication Services	0.2%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.2%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BBBS vs. VUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBBS

BBBS Risk / Return Rank: 76
BBBS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
BBBS Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BBBS Omega Ratio Rank: 82
BBBS Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
BBBS Martin Ratio Rank: 70

VUSB

VUSB Risk / Return Rank: 98
VUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
VUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

BBBS vs. VUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bondbloxx BBB Rated 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (BBBS) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). 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.

	BBBS	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	7.10	-4.60
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.91	13.16	-9.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	3.44	-1.94
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	12.43	-9.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.15	71.97	-58.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBBS vs. VUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBBS Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is lower than the VUSB Sharpe Ratio of 7.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBBS and VUSB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BBBS	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	7.10	-4.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	4.14	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.36	4.09	-1.73

Drawdowns

BBBS vs. VUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBBS drawdown since its inception was -1.45%, smaller than the maximum VUSB drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBBS and VUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBBS	VUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.45%	-1.79%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.45%	-0.37%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.46%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-1.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.02%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.28%	-0.27%	-0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.35%	0.06%	+0.29%

Volatility

BBBS vs. VUSB - Volatility Comparison

Bondbloxx BBB Rated 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF (BBBS) has a higher volatility of 0.49% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) at 0.18%. This indicates that BBBS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBBS	VUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.49%	0.18%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.36%	0.52%	+0.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87%	0.65%	+1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.24%	0.83%	+1.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.24%	0.82%	+1.42%

BBBS vs. VUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBBS has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VUSB's 0.10% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BBBS vs. VUSB - Dividend Comparison

BBBS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than VUSB's 4.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BBBS Bondbloxx BBB Rated 1-5 Year Corporate Bond ETF	4.58%	4.55%	4.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	4.39%	4.63%	5.16%	4.45%	1.56%	0.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBBS and VUSB in my portfolio?

BBBS and VUSB have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBBS or VUSB?

BBBS has higher volatility (0.49%) compared to VUSB (0.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBBS dropped -1.45% vs VUSB's -1.79%.

Which ETF is better, BBBS or VUSB?

On 1-year performance, BBBS leads with 4.65% vs 4.59% for VUSB. On fees, VUSB is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VUSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBBS or VUSB?

Over the 1-year period, BBBS has performed better with a 4.65% return vs 4.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBBS or VUSB?

VUSB is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for BBBS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BBBS or VUSB?

BBBS has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 4.39% for VUSB.

What is the main difference between BBBS and VUSB?

BBBS is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while VUSB is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: BondBloxx and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for BBBS and 0.10% for VUSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.10 vs 2.50), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.