CGSD vs. BSV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CGSD (Capital Group Short Duration Income ETF) and BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds. CGSD is actively managed, while BSV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CGSD returned 5.21%/yr vs 4.41%/yr for BSV. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CGSD charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BSV.

Performance

CGSD vs. BSV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CGSD achieves a 0.70% return, which is significantly higher than BSV's 0.29% return.

CGSD

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.70%
• 6M: 1.09%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: 5.21%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

CGSD vs. BSV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
CGSD Capital Group Short Duration Income ETF	0.70%	6.11%	5.46%	5.03%	1.32%
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	0.29%	6.00%	3.78%	4.90%	1.09%

Correlation

The correlation between CGSD and BSV is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2022	0.78

The correlation between CGSD and BSV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CGSD vs. BSV — Risk / Return Rank

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

CGSD

CGSD Risk / Return Rank: 87
CGSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
CGSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
CGSD Omega Ratio Rank: 91
CGSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
CGSD Martin Ratio Rank: 86

BSV

BSV Risk / Return Rank: 61
BSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
BSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
BSV Omega Ratio Rank: 63
BSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
BSV Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

CGSD vs. BSV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Capital Group Short Duration Income ETF (CGSD) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV). 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.

	CGSD	BSV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	2.05	+0.89
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.65	3.29	+1.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.39	+0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	2.87	+1.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.36	10.07	+8.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CGSD vs. BSV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGSD Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is higher than the BSV Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGSD and BSV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CGSD	BSV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	2.05	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.41	0.85	+1.56

Drawdowns

CGSD vs. BSV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGSD drawdown since its inception was -1.75%, smaller than the maximum BSV drawdown of -8.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGSD and BSV.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGSD	BSV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.75%	-8.54%	+6.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.11%	-1.29%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.11%	-1.53%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-8.54%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-8.54%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.63%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.28%	-0.97%	+0.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	0.37%	-0.14%

Volatility

CGSD vs. BSV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Capital Group Short Duration Income ETF (CGSD) is 0.39%, while Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) has a volatility of 0.52%. This indicates that CGSD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BSV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CGSD	BSV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	0.52%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.01%	1.26%	-0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47%	1.81%	-0.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.16%	2.72%	-0.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.16%	2.37%	-0.21%

CGSD vs. BSV - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGSD has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than BSV's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

CGSD vs. BSV - Dividend Comparison

CGSD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, more than BSV's 4.00% 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%
CGSD Capital Group Short Duration Income ETF	4.46%	4.48%	4.57%	4.43%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CGSD and BSV in my portfolio?

CGSD and BSV have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CGSD or BSV?

BSV has higher volatility (0.52%) compared to CGSD (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGSD dropped -1.75% vs BSV's -8.54%.

Which ETF is better, CGSD or BSV?

On 3-year performance, CGSD leads with 5.21% vs 4.41% for BSV. On fees, BSV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, CGSD has been the lower-risk option at 0.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CGSD or BSV?

Over the 3-year period, CGSD has performed better with a 5.21% return vs 4.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CGSD or BSV?

BSV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for CGSD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CGSD or BSV?

CGSD has the higher dividend yield at 4.46%, compared with 4.00% for BSV.

What is the main difference between CGSD and BSV?

They also come from different issuers: Capital Group and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for CGSD and 0.03% for BSV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CGSD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 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.