FLRN vs. VUBFX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FLRN (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF) and VUBFX (Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares) are both funds - FLRN is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US Floating Rate Notes (<5 Y), while VUBFX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, FLRN returned 3.04%/yr vs 2.60%/yr for VUBFX. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLRN charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VUBFX.

Performance

FLRN vs. VUBFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (FLRN) and Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares (VUBFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLRN achieves a 2.03% return, which is significantly higher than VUBFX's 1.37% return. Over the past 10 years, FLRN has outperformed VUBFX with an annualized return of 3.04%, while VUBFX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.60% annualized return.

FLRN

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.13%
• 1Y: 4.78%
• 3Y*: 5.58%
• 5Y*: 4.21%
• 10Y*: 3.04%

VUBFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 1.37%
• 6M: 1.47%
• 1Y: 4.19%
• 3Y*: 5.29%
• 5Y*: 3.40%
• 10Y*: 2.60%

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

FLRN vs. VUBFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLRN SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF	2.03%	5.01%	6.32%	6.54%	1.31%	0.39%	0.77%	4.02%	1.39%	1.81%
VUBFX Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares	1.37%	5.04%	5.99%	5.43%	-0.53%	0.03%	1.95%	3.34%	1.94%	1.23%

Correlation

The correlation between FLRN and VUBFX is 0.04, 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	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.04

Return for Risk

FLRN vs. VUBFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLRN

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

VUBFX

VUBFX Risk / Return Rank: 99
VUBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VUBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VUBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VUBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VUBFX 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.

FLRN vs. VUBFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (FLRN) and Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares (VUBFX). 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.

	FLRN	VUBFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	6.89	5.41	+1.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	12.52	11.73	+0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.24	4.11	-0.87
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	21.09	14.09	+7.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	124.77	79.11	+45.66

FLRN vs. VUBFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLRN Sharpe Ratio is 6.89, which is comparable to the VUBFX Sharpe Ratio of 5.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLRN and VUBFX, 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

FLRN vs. VUBFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLRN drawdown since its inception was -14.64%, which is greater than VUBFX's maximum drawdown of -1.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLRN and VUBFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLRN	VUBFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.64%	-1.86%	-12.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.23%	-0.30%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.43%	-0.30%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-2.16%	-1.86%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.64%	-1.86%	-12.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.10%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.82%	-0.17%	-1.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.04%	0.05%	-0.01%

Volatility

FLRN vs. VUBFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (FLRN) is 0.20%, while Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares (VUBFX) has a volatility of 0.25%. This indicates that FLRN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUBFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLRN	VUBFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.20%	0.25%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.54%	0.56%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70%	0.78%	-0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.69%	0.99%	+0.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.21%	0.84%	+3.37%

FLRN vs. VUBFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLRN has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than VUBFX's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FLRN vs. VUBFX - Dividend Comparison

FLRN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.50%, more than VUBFX's 4.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLRN SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF	4.50%	4.89%	5.67%	5.68%	1.95%	0.39%	1.22%	2.76%	2.39%	1.64%	1.06%	0.63%
VUBFX Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares	4.42%	4.62%	5.42%	4.06%	1.28%	0.43%	1.52%	2.58%	2.13%	1.43%	0.98%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLRN and VUBFX in my portfolio?

FLRN and VUBFX have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLRN or VUBFX?

VUBFX has higher volatility (0.25%) compared to FLRN (0.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLRN dropped -14.64% vs VUBFX's -1.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLRN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.89 vs 5.41), 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.