CSNR vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CSNR (Cohen & Steers Natural Resources Active ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CSNR is a Commodity Producers Equities fund actively managed by Cohen & Steers, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. CSNR is actively managed, while VGUS is passively managed. Over the past year, CSNR returned 47.34% vs 3.95% for VGUS. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. CSNR charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

CSNR vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cohen & Steers Natural Resources Active ETF (CSNR) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CSNR achieves a 21.88% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.44% return.

CSNR

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 21.88%
• 6M: 24.62%
• 1Y: 47.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGUS

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.44%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CSNR vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CSNR Cohen & Steers Natural Resources Active ETF	21.88%	27.00%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.44%	3.77%

Correlation

The correlation between CSNR and VGUS is -0.11, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2025	-0.11

Return for Risk

CSNR vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

CSNR

CSNR Risk / Return Rank: 86
CSNR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
CSNR Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
CSNR Omega Ratio Rank: 81
CSNR Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
CSNR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

VGUS

VGUS Risk / Return Rank: 100
VGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

CSNR vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cohen & Steers Natural Resources Active ETF (CSNR) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). 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.

	CSNR	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.81	12.10	-9.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.59	35.16	-31.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	10.91	-9.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.67	54.56	-48.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.27	414.20	-391.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CSNR vs. VGUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CSNR Sharpe Ratio is 2.81, which is lower than the VGUS Sharpe Ratio of 12.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CSNR and VGUS, 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

	CSNR	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.81	12.10	-9.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.97	11.72	-9.75

Drawdowns

CSNR vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CSNR drawdown since its inception was -15.33%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSNR and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	CSNR	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.33%	-0.07%	-15.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.39%	-0.07%	-8.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.42%	0.00%	-1.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.82%	-0.00%	-1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	0.01%	+2.12%

Volatility

CSNR vs. VGUS - Volatility Comparison

Cohen & Steers Natural Resources Active ETF (CSNR) has a higher volatility of 4.24% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) at 0.11%. This indicates that CSNR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CSNR	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.24%	0.11%	+4.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.65%	0.18%	+13.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.94%	0.33%	+16.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.77%	0.34%	+19.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.77%	0.34%	+19.43%

CSNR vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

CSNR has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

CSNR vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

CSNR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.98%, less than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
CSNR Cohen & Steers Natural Resources Active ETF	1.98%	2.39%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CSNR and VGUS in my portfolio?

CSNR and VGUS have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CSNR or VGUS?

CSNR has higher volatility (4.24%) compared to VGUS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSNR dropped -15.33% vs VGUS's -0.07%.

Which ETF is better, CSNR or VGUS?

On 1-year performance, CSNR leads with 47.34% vs 3.95% for VGUS. On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VGUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CSNR or VGUS?

Over the 1-year period, CSNR has performed better with a 47.34% return vs 3.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CSNR or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for CSNR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CSNR or VGUS?

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 1.98% for CSNR.

What is the main difference between CSNR and VGUS?

CSNR is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Cohen & Steers and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for CSNR and 0.07% for VGUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.10 vs 2.81), 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.