ET vs. VCSH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ET (Energy Transfer LP) is a stock, while VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) is Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index. Over the past 10 years, ET returned 12.65%/yr vs 2.70%/yr for VCSH. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ET vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Energy Transfer LP (ET) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ET achieves a 22.86% return, which is significantly higher than VCSH's 0.64% return. Over the past 10 years, ET has outperformed VCSH with an annualized return of 12.65%, while VCSH has yielded a comparatively lower 2.70% annualized return.

ET

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.96%
• YTD: 22.86%
• 6M: 21.25%
• 1Y: 17.66%
• 3Y*: 24.39%
• 5Y*: 21.90%
• 10Y*: 12.65%

VCSH

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.95%
• 1Y: 4.59%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.32%
• 10Y*: 2.70%

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

ET vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ET Energy Transfer LP	22.86%	-9.37%	53.87%	27.87%	55.74%	42.96%	-44.92%	5.88%	-17.74%	-4.66%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.64%	6.77%	4.91%	6.20%	-5.62%	-0.63%	5.13%	7.02%	0.92%	2.17%

Correlation

The correlation between ET and VCSH is -0.21, 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	-0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.01

The correlation between ET and VCSH shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.03 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ET vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

ET

ET Risk / Return Rank: 69
ET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
ET Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
ET Omega Ratio Rank: 64
ET Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
ET Martin Ratio Rank: 70

VCSH

VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 74
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

ET vs. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Energy Transfer LP (ET) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). 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.

	ET	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	2.45	-1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	3.85	-2.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.48	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	3.29	-1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.90	13.55	-9.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ET vs. VCSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ET Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is lower than the VCSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ET and VCSH, 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

	ET	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.09	2.45	-1.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89	0.81	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.81	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	1.02	-0.66

Drawdowns

ET vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ET drawdown since its inception was -87.81%, which is greater than VCSH's maximum drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ET and VCSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	ET	VCSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-87.81%	-12.86%	-74.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.02%	-1.40%	-8.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.56%	-1.40%	-23.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.82%	-9.48%	-16.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.82%	-12.86%	-59.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.12%	-0.32%	-3.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.75%	-0.97%	-24.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.55%	0.34%	+4.21%

Volatility

ET vs. VCSH - Volatility Comparison

Energy Transfer LP (ET) has a higher volatility of 5.97% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) at 0.57%. This indicates that ET's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ET	VCSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.97%	0.57%	+5.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.89%	1.38%	+10.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.42%	1.88%	+14.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.90%	2.88%	+22.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.04%	3.35%	+31.69%

Dividends

ET vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison

ET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.83%, more than VCSH's 4.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ET Energy Transfer LP	6.83%	7.97%	6.51%	8.95%	7.33%	7.41%	17.27%	9.51%	9.24%	6.66%	5.90%	7.42%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.45%	4.35%	3.96%	3.09%	2.01%	1.81%	2.27%	2.87%	2.65%	2.26%	2.10%	2.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ET and VCSH in my portfolio?

ET and VCSH have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ET or VCSH?

ET has higher volatility (5.97%) compared to VCSH (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ET dropped -87.81% vs VCSH's -12.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.09), 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.