BSV vs. VTI
BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market 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 VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BSV returned 1.95%/yr vs 15.05%/yr for VTI. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
BSV vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BSV achieves a 0.29% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.20% return. Over the past 10 years, BSV has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 1.95%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.05% annualized return.
BSV
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- 0.06%
- YTD
- 0.29%
- 6M
- 0.52%
- 1Y
- 3.68%
- 3Y*
- 4.41%
- 5Y*
- 1.62%
- 10Y*
- 1.95%
VTI
- 1D
- -0.72%
- 1M
- 4.99%
- YTD
- 11.20%
- 6M
- 11.09%
- 1Y
- 28.18%
- 3Y*
- 22.07%
- 5Y*
- 12.69%
- 10Y*
- 15.05%
BSV vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares | 0.29% | 6.00% | 3.78% | 4.90% | -5.49% | -1.09% | 4.70% | 4.98% | 1.34% | 1.20% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 11.20% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between BSV and VTI is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007 | -0.14 |
The correlation between BSV and VTI shifts across timeframes, from -0.14 (all time) to 0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BSV vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
BSV
VTI
BSV vs. VTI - 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 Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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 | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.42 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.87 | 3.17 | -0.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.07 | 14.62 | -4.55 |
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 | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.05 | 2.33 | -0.28 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.60 | 0.73 | -0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.83 | 0.82 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.85 | 0.51 | +0.35 |
Drawdowns
BSV vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BSV drawdown since its inception was -8.54%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSV and VTI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BSV | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.54% | -55.45% | +46.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.29% | -8.92% | +7.63% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.53% | -19.30% | +17.77% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -8.54% | -25.36% | +16.82% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -8.54% | -35.00% | +26.46% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.63% | -0.72% | +0.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.97% | -8.03% | +7.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.37% | 1.93% | -1.56% |
Volatility
BSV vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) is 0.52%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that BSV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BSV | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.52% | 2.96% | -2.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.26% | 9.13% | -7.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.81% | 12.17% | -10.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.72% | 17.40% | -14.68% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.37% | 18.30% | -15.93% |
BSV vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both BSV and VTI 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%.
Dividends
BSV vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison
BSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.00%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.01% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BSV and VTI have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VTI has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to BSV (0.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSV dropped -8.54% vs VTI's -55.45%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.05% vs 1.95% for BSV. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, BSV has been the lower-risk option at 0.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.05% return vs 1.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BSV and VTI have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
BSV has the higher dividend yield at 4.00%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.
BSV is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. BSV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.05), 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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