GSIG vs. VCSH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GSIG (Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF) and VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - GSIG tracks the FTSE Goldman Sachs US Investment-Grade Corporate Bond 1-5 Years Index while VCSH tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GSIG returned 2.21%/yr vs 2.36%/yr for VCSH. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GSIG charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCSH.

Performance

GSIG vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF (GSIG) 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, GSIG achieves a 0.67% return, which is significantly lower than VCSH's 0.72% return.

GSIG

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 0.67%
• 6M: 1.10%
• 1Y: 4.55%
• 3Y*: 5.39%
• 5Y*: 2.21%
• 10Y*: —

VCSH

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 1.11%
• 1Y: 4.64%
• 3Y*: 5.54%
• 5Y*: 2.36%
• 10Y*: 2.70%

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

GSIG vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GSIG Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF	0.67%	6.69%	4.72%	6.06%	-5.80%	-0.81%	1.59%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.72%	6.77%	4.91%	6.20%	-5.62%	-0.63%	1.82%

Correlation

The correlation between GSIG and VCSH is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2020	0.97

The correlation between GSIG and VCSH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GSIG vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSIG

GSIG Risk / Return Rank: 74
GSIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
GSIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
GSIG Omega Ratio Rank: 82
GSIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
GSIG Martin Ratio Rank: 67

VCSH

VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 76
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 80
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.

GSIG vs. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF (GSIG) 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.

	GSIG	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	2.48	0.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	3.90	-0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.49	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	3.27	-0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.63	13.54	-0.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSIG vs. VCSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSIG Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is comparable to the VCSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSIG 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

	GSIG	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	2.48	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.82	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	1.02	-0.23

Drawdowns

GSIG vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSIG drawdown since its inception was -9.57%, smaller than the maximum VCSH drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSIG and VCSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSIG	VCSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.57%	-12.86%	+3.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.46%	-1.40%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.46%	-1.40%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.57%	-9.48%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-12.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	-0.24%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.10%	-0.97%	-1.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	0.34%	+0.02%

Volatility

GSIG vs. VCSH - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF (GSIG) has a higher volatility of 0.62% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) at 0.57%. This indicates that GSIG'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

	GSIG	VCSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.62%	0.57%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.36%	1.38%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84%	1.88%	-0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.89%	2.88%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.71%	3.35%	-0.64%

GSIG vs. VCSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSIG has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is higher than VCSH's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GSIG vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison

GSIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.34%, less than VCSH's 4.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSIG Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF	4.34%	4.61%	4.59%	3.51%	2.21%	1.04%	0.45%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 GSIG and VCSH in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, GSIG and VCSH move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, GSIG or VCSH?

GSIG has higher volatility (0.62%) compared to VCSH (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSIG dropped -9.57% vs VCSH's -12.86%.

Which ETF is better, GSIG or VCSH?

On 5-year performance, VCSH leads with 2.36% vs 2.21% for GSIG. On fees, VCSH is cheaper at 0.04% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSIG or VCSH?

Over the 5-year period, VCSH has performed better with a 2.36% return vs 2.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSIG or VCSH?

VCSH is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.14% for GSIG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GSIG or VCSH?

VCSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.45%, compared with 4.34% for GSIG.

What is the main difference between GSIG and VCSH?

GSIG tracks FTSE Goldman Sachs US Investment-Grade Corporate Bond 1-5 Years Index, while VCSH tracks Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for GSIG and 0.04% for VCSH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.48), 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.