BSV vs. FLTB
BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) and FLTB (Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds. BSV is passively managed, while FLTB is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, BSV returned 1.96%/yr vs 2.47%/yr for FLTB. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BSV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FLTB.
Performance
BSV vs. FLTB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BSV achieves a 0.37% return, which is significantly lower than FLTB's 0.84% return. Over the past 10 years, BSV has underperformed FLTB with an annualized return of 1.96%, while FLTB has yielded a comparatively higher 2.47% annualized return.
BSV
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.09%
- YTD
- 0.37%
- 6M
- 0.68%
- 1Y
- 3.51%
- 3Y*
- 4.41%
- 5Y*
- 1.63%
- 10Y*
- 1.96%
FLTB
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 0.30%
- YTD
- 0.84%
- 6M
- 1.18%
- 1Y
- 4.37%
- 3Y*
- 5.52%
- 5Y*
- 2.26%
- 10Y*
- 2.47%
BSV vs. FLTB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares | 0.37% | 6.00% | 3.78% | 4.90% | -5.49% | -1.09% | 4.70% | 4.98% | 1.34% | 1.20% |
FLTB Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF | 0.84% | 6.60% | 5.14% | 5.94% | -5.88% | -1.20% | 5.57% | 5.87% | 1.06% | 2.10% |
Correlation
The correlation between BSV and FLTB is 0.74, 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 | 0.74 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2014 | 0.66 |
The correlation between BSV and FLTB shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (all time) to 0.85 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BSV vs. FLTB — Risk / Return Rank
BSV
FLTB
BSV vs. FLTB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) and Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF (FLTB). 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.
| BSV | FLTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.12 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.39 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.74 | 2.88 | -0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.60 | 12.23 | -2.63 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BSV | FLTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.97 | 2.08 | -0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.60 | 0.81 | -0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.83 | 0.85 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.85 | 0.83 | +0.02 |
Drawdowns
BSV vs. FLTB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BSV drawdown since its inception was -8.54%, smaller than the maximum FLTB drawdown of -9.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSV and FLTB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BSV | FLTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.54% | -9.37% | +0.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.29% | -1.52% | +0.23% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.53% | -1.52% | -0.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -8.54% | -9.26% | +0.72% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -8.54% | -9.37% | +0.83% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.55% | -0.26% | -0.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.97% | -1.40% | +0.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.37% | 0.36% | +0.01% |
Volatility
BSV vs. FLTB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) is 0.53%, while Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF (FLTB) has a volatility of 0.62%. This indicates that BSV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FLTB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BSV | FLTB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.53% | 0.62% | -0.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.26% | 1.63% | -0.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.81% | 2.13% | -0.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.72% | 2.80% | -0.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.37% | 2.94% | -0.57% |
BSV vs. FLTB - Expense Ratio Comparison
BSV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than FLTB's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BSV vs. FLTB - Dividend Comparison
BSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, less than FLTB's 4.36% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares | 3.99% | 3.83% | 3.38% | 2.46% | 1.50% | 1.45% | 1.79% | 2.29% | 1.99% | 1.65% | 1.48% | 1.40% |
FLTB Fidelity Limited Term Bond ETF | 4.36% | 4.31% | 4.11% | 3.20% | 1.63% | 0.89% | 1.56% | 2.67% | 2.50% | 1.78% | 1.59% | 1.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BSV and FLTB have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FLTB has higher volatility (0.62%) compared to BSV (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSV dropped -8.54% vs FLTB's -9.37%.
On 10-year performance, FLTB leads with 2.47% vs 1.96% for BSV. On fees, BSV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FLTB has performed better with a 2.47% return vs 1.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BSV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for FLTB.
FLTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.36%, compared with 3.99% for BSV.
They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BSV and 0.25% for FLTB.
FLTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.97), 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.
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