C vs. VGSH

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

C (Citigroup Inc.) is a stock, while VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) is Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Over the past 10 years, C returned 17.11%/yr vs 1.70%/yr for VGSH. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

C vs. VGSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Citigroup Inc. (C) 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, C achieves a 25.47% return, which is significantly higher than VGSH's 0.47% return. Over the past 10 years, C has outperformed VGSH with an annualized return of 17.11%, while VGSH has yielded a comparatively lower 1.70% annualized return.

C

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 15.89%
• YTD: 25.47%
• 6M: 22.63%
• 1Y: 86.82%
• 3Y*: 51.47%
• 5Y*: 19.30%
• 10Y*: 17.11%

VGSH

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 0.47%
• 6M: 0.64%
• 1Y: 2.99%
• 3Y*: 4.20%
• 5Y*: 1.85%
• 10Y*: 1.70%

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

C vs. VGSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
C Citigroup Inc.	25.47%	70.38%	41.93%	18.98%	-22.09%	0.93%	-19.70%	57.82%	-28.49%	27.03%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	0.47%	5.07%	4.00%	4.31%	-3.86%	-0.60%	3.04%	3.52%	1.55%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between C and VGSH is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009	-0.22

The correlation between C and VGSH shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (all time) to -0.04 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

C vs. VGSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

C

C Risk / Return Rank: 94
C Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
C Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
C Omega Ratio Rank: 93
C Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
C Martin Ratio Rank: 94

VGSH

VGSH Risk / Return Rank: 77
VGSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VGSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VGSH Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VGSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VGSH Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

C vs. VGSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Citigroup Inc. (C) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	C	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.09	2.29	+0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.72	3.63	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.48	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.91	3.40	+2.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.04	13.02	+4.02

C vs. VGSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current C Sharpe Ratio is 3.09, which is higher than the VGSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of C and VGSH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

C vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum C drawdown since its inception was -98.00%, which is greater than VGSH's maximum drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for C and VGSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	C	VGSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.00%	-5.70%	-92.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.76%	-0.88%	-13.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.31%	-0.97%	-30.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.31%	-5.66%	-38.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-56.51%	-5.70%	-50.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-61.31%	-0.31%	-61.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.52%	-0.60%	-42.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.11%	0.23%	+4.88%

Volatility

C vs. VGSH - Volatility Comparison

Citigroup Inc. (C) has a higher volatility of 7.00% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) at 0.45%. This indicates that C'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.

Volatility by Period

	C	VGSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.00%	0.45%	+6.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.12%	0.95%	+22.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.23%	1.31%	+26.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.12%	1.97%	+27.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.08%	1.58%	+31.50%

Dividends

C vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison

C's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, less than VGSH's 3.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
C Citigroup Inc.	1.66%	1.99%	3.10%	4.04%	4.51%	3.38%	3.31%	2.40%	2.96%	1.29%	0.71%	0.31%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	3.88%	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 C and VGSH in my portfolio?

C and VGSH have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, C or VGSH?

C has higher volatility (7.00%) compared to VGSH (0.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, C dropped -98.00% vs VGSH's -5.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

C currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.09 vs 2.29), 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.