ICSH vs. VUSB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) and VUSB (Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. ICSH is passively managed, while VUSB is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ICSH returned 3.67%/yr vs 3.43%/yr for VUSB. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ICSH charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VUSB.

Performance

ICSH vs. VUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ICSH having a 1.45% return and VUSB slightly lower at 1.39%.

ICSH

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.79%
• 1Y: 4.36%
• 3Y*: 5.20%
• 5Y*: 3.67%
• 10Y*: 2.76%

VUSB

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 4.59%
• 3Y*: 5.34%
• 5Y*: 3.43%
• 10Y*: —

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

ICSH vs. VUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	1.45%	4.96%	5.52%	5.58%	0.97%	0.05%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.39%	5.20%	5.68%	5.52%	-0.36%	0.00%

Correlation

The correlation between ICSH and VUSB is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2021	0.55

The correlation between ICSH and VUSB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

ICSH vs. VUSB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ICSH	VUSB
Utilities	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.2%

Return for Risk

ICSH vs. VUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

ICSH

ICSH Risk / Return Rank: 99
ICSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
ICSH Omega Ratio Rank: 100
ICSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH Martin Ratio Rank: 99

VUSB

VUSB Risk / Return Rank: 98
VUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
VUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

ICSH vs. VUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). 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.

	ICSH	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	11.22	7.10	+4.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	28.46	13.16	+15.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	6.79	3.44	+3.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	44.30	12.43	+31.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	297.17	71.97	+225.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ICSH vs. VUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICSH Sharpe Ratio is 11.22, which is higher than the VUSB Sharpe Ratio of 7.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICSH and VUSB, 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

	ICSH	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.22	7.10	+4.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	7.64	4.14	+3.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	2.62	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.93	4.09	-2.16

Drawdowns

ICSH vs. VUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICSH drawdown since its inception was -3.94%, which is greater than VUSB's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICSH and VUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICSH	VUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.94%	-1.79%	-2.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.10%	-0.37%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.10%	-0.46%	+0.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-0.73%	-1.79%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-3.94%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.08%	-0.27%	+0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.01%	0.06%	-0.05%

Volatility

ICSH vs. VUSB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) is 0.15%, while Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) has a volatility of 0.18%. This indicates that ICSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ICSH	VUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.15%	0.18%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.30%	0.52%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39%	0.65%	-0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.48%	0.83%	-0.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.06%	0.82%	+0.24%

ICSH vs. VUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

ICSH has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than VUSB's 0.10% 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

ICSH vs. VUSB - Dividend Comparison

ICSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.34%, less than VUSB's 4.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	4.34%	4.55%	5.24%	4.78%	1.66%	0.42%	1.21%	2.61%	2.20%	1.36%	0.88%	0.54%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	4.39%	4.63%	5.16%	4.45%	1.56%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ICSH and VUSB in my portfolio?

ICSH and VUSB have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ICSH or VUSB?

VUSB has higher volatility (0.18%) compared to ICSH (0.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICSH dropped -3.94% vs VUSB's -1.79%.

Which ETF is better, ICSH or VUSB?

On 5-year performance, ICSH leads with 3.67% vs 3.43% for VUSB. On fees, ICSH is cheaper at 0.08% 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, ICSH or VUSB?

Over the 5-year period, ICSH has performed better with a 3.67% return vs 3.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ICSH or VUSB?

ICSH is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VUSB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ICSH or VUSB?

VUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.39%, compared with 4.34% for ICSH.

What is the main difference between ICSH and VUSB?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for ICSH and 0.10% for VUSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.22 vs 7.10), 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.