EIPI vs. VUSB

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EIPI (FT Energy Income Partners Enhanced Income ETF) and VUSB (Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EIPI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by First Trust, while VUSB is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, EIPI returned 21.76% vs 4.09% for VUSB. Their -0.01 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. EIPI charges 1.11%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VUSB.

Performance

EIPI vs. VUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Energy Income Partners Enhanced Income ETF (EIPI) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EIPI achieves a 17.27% return, which is significantly higher than VUSB's 1.96% return.

EIPI

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 2.76%
• 6M: 10.54%
• YTD: 17.27%
• 1Y: 21.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.58%

VUSB

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.24%
• 6M: 1.57%
• YTD: 1.96%
• 1Y: 4.09%
• 3Y*: 5.25%
• 5Y*: 3.54%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.37%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EIPI FT Energy Income Partners Enhanced Income ETF	$3.90M	$2.89M	$2.19M
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	$68.77M	$73.10M	$81.38M

EIPI vs. VUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EIPI FT Energy Income Partners Enhanced Income ETF	17.27%	12.38%	13.14%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.96%	5.20%	4.01%

Correlation

The correlation between EIPI and VUSB is -0.16, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 6, 2024	-0.01

The correlation between EIPI and VUSB shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to -0.01 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EIPI vs. VUSB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EIPI

EIPI Risk / Return Rank: 88
EIPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
EIPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
EIPI Omega Ratio Rank: 83
EIPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
EIPI Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VUSB

VUSB Risk / Return Rank: 99
VUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
VUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 99

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EIPI vs. VUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Energy Income Partners Enhanced Income ETF (EIPI) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). 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.

	EIPI	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	6.39	-4.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	10.86	-7.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	3.04	-1.69
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.40	11.62	-7.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.73	65.56	-52.82

EIPI vs. VUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EIPI Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is lower than the VUSB Sharpe Ratio of 6.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EIPI and VUSB, 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

EIPI vs. VUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EIPI drawdown since its inception was -12.33%, which is greater than VUSB's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EIPI and VUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	EIPI	VUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.33%	-1.79%	-10.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.77%	-0.37%	-4.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.46%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-1.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	0.00%	-1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.70%	-0.27%	-1.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.65%	0.07%	+1.58%

Volatility

EIPI vs. VUSB - Volatility Comparison

FT Energy Income Partners Enhanced Income ETF (EIPI) has a higher volatility of 3.71% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) at 0.16%. This indicates that EIPI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EIPI	VUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.71%	0.16%	+3.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.85%	0.57%	+7.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.11%	0.67%	+9.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.01%	0.84%	+12.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.01%	0.82%	+12.19%

EIPI vs. VUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

EIPI has a 1.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VUSB's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

EIPI vs. VUSB - Dividend Comparison

EIPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.70%, more than VUSB's 4.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
EIPI FT Energy Income Partners Enhanced Income ETF	6.70%	9.71%	6.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	3.95%	4.63%	5.16%	4.45%	1.56%	0.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EIPI and VUSB in my portfolio?

EIPI and VUSB have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EIPI or VUSB?

EIPI has higher volatility (3.71%) compared to VUSB (0.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EIPI dropped -12.33% vs VUSB's -1.79%.

Which ETF is better, EIPI or VUSB?

On 1-year performance, EIPI leads with 21.76% vs 4.09% for VUSB. On fees, VUSB is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VUSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EIPI or VUSB?

Over the 1-year period, EIPI has performed better with a 21.76% return vs 4.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EIPI or VUSB?

VUSB is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 1.11% for EIPI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EIPI or VUSB?

EIPI has the higher dividend yield at 6.70%, compared with 3.95% for VUSB.

What is the main difference between EIPI and VUSB?

EIPI is categorized as Derivative Income, while VUSB is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.11% for EIPI and 0.10% for VUSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.39 vs 2.08), 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.