CGSD vs. VGSH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CGSD (Capital Group Short Duration Income ETF) and VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CGSD is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Capital Group, while VGSH is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. CGSD is actively managed, while VGSH is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CGSD returned 5.21%/yr vs 4.15%/yr for VGSH. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CGSD charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGSH.

Performance

CGSD vs. VGSH - 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 Treasury ETF (VGSH). 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 VGSH's 0.48% return.

CGSD

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

VGSH

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 0.48%
• 6M: 0.74%
• 1Y: 3.43%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 1.81%
• 10Y*: 1.74%

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

CGSD vs. VGSH - 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%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	0.48%	5.07%	4.00%	4.31%	0.54%

Correlation

The correlation between CGSD and VGSH is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2022	0.77

The correlation between CGSD and VGSH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CGSD vs. VGSH — 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

VGSH

VGSH Risk / Return Rank: 83
VGSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VGSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VGSH Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VGSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VGSH Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. VGSH - 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 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.

	CGSD	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	2.68	+0.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.65	4.43	+0.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.57	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	3.90	-0.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.36	15.52	+2.84
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. VGSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGSD Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is comparable to the VGSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGSD 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CGSD	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	2.68	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.93	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.41	1.01	+1.40

Drawdowns

CGSD vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGSD drawdown since its inception was -1.75%, smaller than the maximum VGSH drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGSD and VGSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGSD	VGSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.75%	-5.70%	+3.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.11%	-0.88%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.11%	-0.97%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.66%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.29%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.28%	-0.60%	+0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	0.22%	+0.01%

Volatility

CGSD vs. VGSH - Volatility Comparison

Capital Group Short Duration Income ETF (CGSD) has a higher volatility of 0.39% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) at 0.35%. This indicates that CGSD'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

	CGSD	VGSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	0.35%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.01%	0.88%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47%	1.29%	+0.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.16%	1.97%	+0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.16%	1.57%	+0.59%

CGSD vs. VGSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGSD has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSH'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. VGSH - Dividend Comparison

CGSD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, more than VGSH's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	3.87%	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 CGSD and VGSH in my portfolio?

CGSD and VGSH have a correlation of 0.80, 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 VGSH?

CGSD has higher volatility (0.39%) compared to VGSH (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGSD dropped -1.75% vs VGSH's -5.70%.

Which ETF is better, CGSD or VGSH?

On 3-year performance, CGSD leads with 5.21% vs 4.15% for VGSH. On fees, VGSH is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CGSD or VGSH?

Over the 3-year period, CGSD has performed better with a 5.21% return vs 4.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CGSD or VGSH?

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

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

CGSD has the higher dividend yield at 4.46%, compared with 3.87% for VGSH.

What is the main difference between CGSD and VGSH?

CGSD is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while VGSH is Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Capital Group and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for CGSD and 0.03% for VGSH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CGSD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.68), 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.