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BSV vs. VBR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

BSV vs. VBR

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BSV is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BSV returned 1.91%/yr vs 10.50%/yr for VBR. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. BSV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

BSV vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSV achieves a 0.10% return, which is significantly lower than VBR's 11.45% return. Over the past 10 years, BSV has underperformed VBR with an annualized return of 1.91%, while VBR has yielded a comparatively higher 10.50% annualized return.

BSV

1D
-0.01%
1M
-0.38%
YTD
0.10%
6M
0.53%
1Y
3.66%
3Y*
4.42%
5Y*
1.57%
10Y*
1.91%

VBR

1D
0.16%
1M
0.48%
YTD
11.45%
6M
12.14%
1Y
24.85%
3Y*
15.60%
5Y*
7.78%
10Y*
10.50%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BSV vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
BSV
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares		0.10%6.00%3.78%4.90%-5.49%-1.09%4.70%4.98%1.34%1.20%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		11.45%9.09%12.40%16.00%-9.38%28.08%5.90%22.78%-12.28%11.81%

Correlation

The correlation between BSV and VBR is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.29

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.19

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.13

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.02

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007

-0.14

The correlation between BSV and VBR shifts across timeframes, from -0.14 (all time) to 0.29 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares

Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF

Often compared with BSV:
BSV vs. BNDBSV vs. VCSHBSV vs. SCHOBSV vs. SHYBSV vs. VUSBBSV vs. VBIRXBSV vs. ISTB
Often compared with VBR:
VBR vs. AVUVVBR vs. VBVBR vs. VBKVBR vs. VOOVBR vs. VTIVBR vs. VIOVVBR vs. VSIAX

Return for Risk

BSV vs. VBR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
BSV
BSV Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
BSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 8282
Sortino Ratio Rank
BSV Omega Ratio Rank: 7474
Omega Ratio Rank
BSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
BSV Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
VBR
VBR Risk / Return Rank: 5757
Overall Rank
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5353
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 5656
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

BSV vs. VBR - 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 Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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.

BSVVBRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.06
1.65

+0.41

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.30
2.43

+0.87

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.29

+0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.85

2.82

+0.03

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.83

9.94

-0.11

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BSV vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSV Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSV and VBR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

BSVVBRDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.06

1.65

+0.41

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.58

0.40

+0.18

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.81

0.49

+0.32

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.85

0.42

+0.43

Drawdowns

BSV vs. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSV drawdown since its inception was -8.54%, smaller than the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSV and VBR.

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Drawdown Indicators

BSVVBRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-8.54%

-61.98%

+53.44%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.29%

-8.85%

+7.56%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.53%

-24.19%

+22.66%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-8.54%

-24.19%

+15.65%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-8.54%

-45.28%

+36.74%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.82%

-0.95%

+0.13%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.97%

-8.26%

+7.29%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.37%

2.51%

-2.14%

Volatility

BSV vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) is 0.54%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) has a volatility of 3.67%. This indicates that BSV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

BSVVBRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.54%

3.67%

-3.13%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.28%

10.49%

-9.21%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.79%

15.16%

-13.37%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.73%

19.77%

-17.04%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

2.38%

21.74%

-19.36%

BSV vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VBR's 0.05% 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. VBR - Dividend Comparison

BSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.00%, more than VBR's 1.76% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BSV
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares		4.00%3.83%3.38%2.46%1.50%1.45%1.79%2.29%1.99%1.65%1.48%1.40%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		1.76%1.95%1.98%2.12%2.03%1.75%1.68%2.06%2.35%1.79%1.77%1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

BSV and VBR have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VBR has higher volatility (3.67%) compared to BSV (0.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSV dropped -8.54% vs VBR's -61.98%.

On 10-year performance, VBR leads with 10.50% vs 1.91% for BSV. On fees, BSV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BSV has been the lower-risk option at 0.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VBR has performed better with a 10.50% return vs 1.91%. 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 0.05% for VBR.

BSV has the higher dividend yield at 4.00%, compared with 1.76% for VBR.

BSV is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while VBR is Small Cap Value Equities. BSV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BSV and 0.05% for VBR.

BSV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.65), 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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