EBIT vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EBIT (Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Earners ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EBIT is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Earners Index, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, EBIT returned 26.62% vs 3.95% for VGUS. At a correlation of -0.16, they often move in opposite directions. EBIT charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

EBIT vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Earners ETF (EBIT) 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, EBIT achieves a 12.09% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.44% return.

EBIT

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 12.09%
• 6M: 10.33%
• 1Y: 26.62%
• 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)

EBIT vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EBIT Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Earners ETF	12.09%	4.33%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.44%	3.77%

Correlation

The correlation between EBIT and VGUS is -0.10, 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	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2025	-0.16

Return for Risk

EBIT vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

EBIT

EBIT Risk / Return Rank: 52
EBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
EBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
EBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 45
EBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
EBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

EBIT vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Earners ETF (EBIT) 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.

	EBIT	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	12.10	-10.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	35.16	-32.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	10.91	-9.63
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	54.56	-51.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.20	414.20	-405.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EBIT vs. VGUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EBIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is lower than the VGUS Sharpe Ratio of 12.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EBIT 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

	EBIT	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.57	12.10	-10.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	11.72	-11.03

Drawdowns

EBIT vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EBIT drawdown since its inception was -26.64%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EBIT and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	EBIT	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.64%	-0.07%	-26.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.34%	-0.07%	-8.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	0.00%	-1.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.55%	-0.00%	-6.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	0.01%	+2.89%

Volatility

EBIT vs. VGUS - Volatility Comparison

Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Earners ETF (EBIT) has a higher volatility of 3.99% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) at 0.11%. This indicates that EBIT'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

	EBIT	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	0.11%	+3.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.71%	0.18%	+10.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.13%	0.33%	+16.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.24%	0.34%	+20.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.24%	0.34%	+20.90%

EBIT vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

EBIT has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

EBIT vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

EBIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.78%, less than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
EBIT Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Earners ETF	1.78%	2.00%	2.40%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EBIT and VGUS in my portfolio?

EBIT and VGUS have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EBIT or VGUS?

EBIT has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to VGUS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EBIT dropped -26.64% vs VGUS's -0.07%.

Which ETF is better, EBIT or VGUS?

On 1-year performance, EBIT leads with 26.62% 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, EBIT or VGUS?

Over the 1-year period, EBIT has performed better with a 26.62% return vs 3.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EBIT or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for EBIT.

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

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 1.78% for EBIT.

What is the main difference between EBIT and VGUS?

EBIT is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. EBIT tracks Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Earners Index, while VGUS tracks Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for EBIT and 0.07% for VGUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.10 vs 1.57), 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.