PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
BSV vs. VGSH
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

BSV vs. VGSH

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH).

BSV and VGSH are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BSV is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. It was launched on Apr 3, 2007. VGSH is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. It was launched on Nov 19, 2009. Both BSV and VGSH are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

BSV vs. VGSH - 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 Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

BSV vs. VGSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
BSV
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares		0.16%6.00%3.78%4.90%-5.49%-1.09%4.70%4.98%1.34%1.20%
VGSH
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF		0.25%5.07%4.00%4.31%-3.86%-0.60%3.04%3.52%1.55%0.04%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSV achieves a 0.16% return, which is significantly lower than VGSH's 0.25% return. Over the past 10 years, BSV has outperformed VGSH with an annualized return of 1.97%, while VGSH has yielded a comparatively lower 1.74% annualized return.

BSV

1D
0.02%
1M
-0.57%
YTD
0.16%
6M
1.15%
1Y
4.05%
3Y*
4.27%
5Y*
1.68%
10Y*
1.97%

VGSH

1D
-0.02%
1M
-0.33%
YTD
0.25%
6M
1.24%
1Y
3.68%
3Y*
3.97%
5Y*
1.79%
10Y*
1.74%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares

Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF

Often compared with BSV:
BSV vs. BNDBSV vs. VCSHBSV vs. SCHOBSV vs. SHYBSV vs. VUSBBSV vs. VBIRXBSV vs. BLV
Often compared with VGSH:
VGSH vs. sgovVGSH vs. SHVVGSH vs. SHYVGSH vs. BNDVGSH vs. VCSHVGSH vs. VTIPVGSH vs. VUSXX

BSV vs. VGSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BSV and VGSH have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

BSV
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares
VGSH
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF

Return for Risk

BSV vs. VGSH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
BSV
BSV Risk / Return Rank: 9292
Overall Rank
BSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9090
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 9696
Sortino Ratio Rank
BSV Omega Ratio Rank: 9191
Omega Ratio Rank
BSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
BSV Martin Ratio Rank: 9090
Martin Ratio Rank
VGSH
VGSH Risk / Return Rank: 9696
Overall Rank
VGSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9696
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 9898
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGSH Omega Ratio Rank: 9797
Omega Ratio Rank
VGSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 9595
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGSH Martin Ratio Rank: 9595
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. VGSH - 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 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.

BSVVGSHDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

2.04

2.57

-0.53

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

3.25

4.13

-0.88

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.55

-0.16

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

3.23

4.21

-0.98

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

12.23

15.93

-3.70

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. VGSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSV Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the VGSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSV and VGSH, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

BSVVGSHDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.04

2.57

-0.53

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.62

0.92

-0.29

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.83

1.11

-0.27

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.86

1.01

-0.16

Correlation

The correlation between BSV and VGSH is 0.77, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

BSV vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison

BSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.93%, which matches VGSH's 3.93% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BSV
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares		3.93%3.83%3.38%2.46%1.50%1.45%1.79%2.29%1.99%1.65%1.48%1.40%
VGSH
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF		3.93%4.00%4.18%3.31%1.15%0.66%1.74%2.28%1.79%1.10%0.84%0.69%

Drawdowns

BSV vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSV drawdown since its inception was -8.54%, which is greater than VGSH's maximum drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSV and VGSH.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

BSVVGSHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-8.54%

-5.70%

-2.84%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.29%

-0.88%

-0.41%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-8.54%

-5.70%

-2.84%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-8.54%

-5.70%

-2.84%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.76%

-0.52%

-0.24%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.98%

-0.60%

-0.38%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.34%

0.23%

+0.11%

Volatility

BSV vs. VGSH - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) has a higher volatility of 0.78% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) at 0.52%. This indicates that BSV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

BSVVGSHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.78%

0.52%

+0.26%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.19%

0.84%

+0.35%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.00%

1.44%

+0.56%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.71%

1.96%

+0.75%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

2.37%

1.57%

+0.80%