EPMV vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EPMV (Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EPMV is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Harbor, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. EPMV is actively managed, while VGUS is passively managed. Over the past year, EPMV returned 29.98% vs 3.95% for VGUS. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions. EPMV charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

EPMV vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF (EPMV) 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, EPMV achieves a 18.43% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.44% return.

EPMV

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 6.82%
• YTD: 18.43%
• 6M: 19.33%
• 1Y: 29.98%
• 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)

EPMV vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EPMV Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF	18.43%	13.68%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.44%	2.78%

Correlation

The correlation between EPMV and VGUS is -0.10, 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	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2025	-0.12

Return for Risk

EPMV vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

EPMV

EPMV Risk / Return Rank: 63
EPMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
EPMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
EPMV Omega Ratio Rank: 58
EPMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
EPMV Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

EPMV vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF (EPMV) 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.

	EPMV	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	12.10	-10.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	35.16	-32.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	10.91	-9.56
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	54.56	-51.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.30	414.20	-402.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EPMV vs. VGUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is lower than the VGUS Sharpe Ratio of 12.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPMV 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

	EPMV	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	12.10	-10.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.05	11.72	-9.67

Drawdowns

EPMV vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPMV drawdown since its inception was -8.78%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPMV and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPMV	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.78%	-0.07%	-8.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.78%	-0.07%	-8.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.78%	-0.00%	-1.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	0.01%	+2.65%

Volatility

EPMV vs. VGUS - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF (EPMV) has a higher volatility of 5.29% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) at 0.11%. This indicates that EPMV'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

	EPMV	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	0.11%	+5.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.33%	0.18%	+11.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.19%	0.33%	+14.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.48%	0.34%	+15.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.48%	0.34%	+15.14%

EPMV vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPMV has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPMV vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

EPMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
EPMV Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF	1.25%	1.48%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EPMV and VGUS in my portfolio?

EPMV 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, EPMV or VGUS?

EPMV has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to VGUS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPMV dropped -8.78% vs VGUS's -0.07%.

Which ETF is better, EPMV or VGUS?

On 1-year performance, EPMV leads with 29.98% 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, EPMV or VGUS?

Over the 1-year period, EPMV has performed better with a 29.98% return vs 3.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPMV or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for EPMV.

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

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 1.25% for EPMV.

What is the main difference between EPMV and VGUS?

EPMV is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.88% for EPMV and 0.07% for VGUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.10 vs 1.99), 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.