FSIG vs. BSV
FSIG (First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF) and BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds. FSIG is actively managed, while BSV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FSIG returned 5.09%/yr vs 4.55%/yr for BSV. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FSIG charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BSV.
Performance
FSIG vs. BSV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FSIG achieves a 0.46% return, which is significantly higher than BSV's 0.42% return.
FSIG
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -0.20%
- 6M
- 0.24%
- YTD
- 0.46%
- 1Y
- 2.90%
- 3Y*
- 5.09%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 2.70%
BSV
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- -0.22%
- 6M
- 0.27%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 1Y
- 2.36%
- 3Y*
- 4.55%
- 5Y*
- 1.61%
- 10Y*
- 1.90%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.51%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $124.18M | $168.72M | $200.19M | |
| $5.67M | $8.27M | $7.61M |
FSIG vs. BSV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSIG First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF | 0.46% | 6.66% | 4.22% | 6.22% | -4.37% | -0.08% |
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares | 0.42% | 6.00% | 3.78% | 4.90% | -5.49% | -0.13% |
Correlation
The correlation between FSIG and BSV is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.79 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.83 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2021 | 0.85 |
The correlation between FSIG and BSV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FSIG vs. BSV — Risk / Return Rank
FSIG
BSV
FSIG vs. BSV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FSIG) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV). 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.
| FSIG | BSV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.44 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.31 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.08 | 2.33 | -0.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.35 | 7.21 | +1.14 |
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Drawdowns
FSIG vs. BSV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FSIG drawdown since its inception was -6.93%, smaller than the maximum BSV drawdown of -8.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSIG and BSV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FSIG | BSV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.93% | -8.54% | +1.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.55% | -1.29% | -0.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.55% | -1.53% | -0.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -8.48% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -8.54% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.36% | -0.50% | +0.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.64% | -0.97% | -0.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.39% | 0.42% | -0.03% |
Volatility
FSIG vs. BSV - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FSIG) has a higher volatility of 0.65% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) at 0.49%. This indicates that FSIG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BSV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FSIG | BSV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.65% | 0.49% | +0.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.94% | 1.41% | +0.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.25% | 1.81% | +0.44% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.94% | 2.74% | +0.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.94% | 2.38% | +0.56% |
FSIG vs. BSV - Expense Ratio Comparison
FSIG has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than BSV's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
FSIG vs. BSV - Dividend Comparison
FSIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.84%, more than BSV's 4.02% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares | 3.68% | 3.83% | 3.38% | 2.46% | 1.50% | 1.45% | 1.79% | 2.29% | 1.99% | 1.65% | 1.48% | 1.40% |
FSIG First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF | 4.84% | 4.73% | 4.61% | 4.42% | 2.48% | 0.12% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FSIG and BSV have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FSIG has higher volatility (0.65%) compared to BSV (0.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSIG dropped -6.93% vs BSV's -8.54%.
On 3-year performance, FSIG leads with 5.09% vs 4.55% for BSV. On fees, BSV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BSV has been the lower-risk option at 0.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, FSIG has performed better with a 5.09% return vs 4.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BSV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for FSIG.
FSIG has the higher dividend yield at 4.84%, compared with 3.68% for BSV.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for FSIG and 0.03% for BSV.
BSV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.44), 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.
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