IBGM vs. VGSH

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

IBGM (iShares iBonds Dec 2056 Term Treasury ETF) and VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - IBGM tracks the ICE 2056 Maturity US Treasury Index while VGSH tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBGM charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGSH.

Performance

IBGM vs. VGSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds Dec 2056 Term Treasury ETF (IBGM) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IBGM

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: -0.74%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGSH

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -0.22%
• YTD: 0.36%
• 6M: 0.74%
• 1Y: 3.24%
• 3Y*: 4.11%
• 5Y*: 1.79%
• 10Y*: 1.72%

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

IBGM vs. VGSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IBGM iShares iBonds Dec 2056 Term Treasury ETF	-0.16%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	0.48%

Correlation

The correlation between IBGM and VGSH is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2026	0.66

Return for Risk

IBGM vs. VGSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGSH

VGSH Risk / Return Rank: 82
VGSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VGSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VGSH Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VGSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VGSH Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

IBGM vs. VGSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2056 Term Treasury ETF (IBGM) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IBGM	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.91	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.10	1.01	-1.11

Drawdowns

IBGM vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBGM drawdown since its inception was -4.36%, smaller than the maximum VGSH drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBGM and VGSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBGM	VGSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.36%	-5.70%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.97%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.66%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.59%	-0.41%	-1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.26%	-0.60%	-0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.22%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IBGM	VGSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.36%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.90%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.27%	1.29%	+6.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.27%	1.97%	+6.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.27%	1.58%	+6.69%

IBGM vs. VGSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBGM has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSH's 0.03% 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

IBGM vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison

IBGM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, less than VGSH's 3.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBGM iShares iBonds Dec 2056 Term Treasury ETF	0.82%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	3.88%	4.00%	4.18%	3.31%	1.15%	0.66%	1.74%	2.28%	1.79%	1.10%	0.84%	0.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBGM and VGSH in my portfolio?

IBGM and VGSH have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IBGM or VGSH?

On fees, VGSH is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBGM or VGSH?

VGSH is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IBGM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBGM or VGSH?

VGSH has the higher dividend yield at 3.88%, compared with 0.82% for IBGM.

What is the main difference between IBGM and VGSH?

IBGM tracks ICE 2056 Maturity US Treasury Index, while VGSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IBGM and 0.03% for VGSH.