BCKT vs. VGSH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BCKT (LifeX 2030 Income Bucket ETF) and VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. BCKT is actively managed, while VGSH is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BCKT charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGSH.

Performance

BCKT vs. VGSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in LifeX 2030 Income Bucket ETF (BCKT) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BCKT achieves a 0.36% return, which is significantly lower than VGSH's 0.54% return.

BCKT

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 0.36%
• 6M: 0.65%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGSH

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 3.31%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 1.82%
• 10Y*: 1.74%

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

BCKT vs. VGSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BCKT LifeX 2030 Income Bucket ETF	0.36%	1.09%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	0.54%	1.15%

Correlation

The correlation between BCKT and VGSH is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2025	0.92

Return for Risk

BCKT vs. VGSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGSH

VGSH Risk / Return Rank: 83
VGSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VGSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VGSH Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VGSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VGSH Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

BCKT vs. VGSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for LifeX 2030 Income Bucket ETF (BCKT) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). 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

	BCKT	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.93	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.39	1.02	+0.38

Drawdowns

BCKT vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCKT drawdown since its inception was -1.00%, smaller than the maximum VGSH drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCKT and VGSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCKT	VGSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.00%	-5.70%	+4.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.97%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.66%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	-0.24%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.26%	-0.60%	+0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.22%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BCKT	VGSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.35%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.88%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53%	1.29%	+0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.53%	1.97%	-0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.53%	1.57%	-0.04%

BCKT vs. VGSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCKT has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSH's 0.03% 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

BCKT vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison

BCKT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 17.95%, more than VGSH's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BCKT LifeX 2030 Income Bucket ETF	17.95%	5.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	3.87%	4.00%	4.18%	3.31%	1.15%	0.66%	1.74%	2.28%	1.79%	1.10%	0.84%	0.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BCKT and VGSH in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, BCKT and VGSH move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, BCKT or VGSH?

On fees, VGSH is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BCKT or VGSH?

VGSH is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for BCKT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BCKT or VGSH?

BCKT has the higher dividend yield at 17.95%, compared with 3.87% for VGSH.

What is the main difference between BCKT and VGSH?

They also come from different issuers: Stone Ridge and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for BCKT and 0.03% for VGSH.