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IGSB vs. VBR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IGSB vs. VBR

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IGSB (iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGSB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofAML 1-5 Year US Corporate Index, while VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGSB returned 2.71%/yr vs 10.50%/yr for VBR. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IGSB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

IGSB vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGSB achieves a 0.52% return, which is significantly lower than VBR's 11.45% return. Over the past 10 years, IGSB has underperformed VBR with an annualized return of 2.71%, while VBR has yielded a comparatively higher 10.50% annualized return.

IGSB

1D
0.04%
1M
-0.25%
YTD
0.52%
6M
1.00%
1Y
4.70%
3Y*
5.70%
5Y*
2.36%
10Y*
2.71%

VBR

1D
0.16%
1M
0.48%
YTD
11.45%
6M
12.14%
1Y
24.85%
3Y*
15.60%
5Y*
7.78%
10Y*
10.50%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IGSB vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IGSB
iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF		0.52%6.96%4.97%6.40%-5.63%-0.56%5.37%7.11%1.25%1.27%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		11.45%9.09%12.40%16.00%-9.38%28.08%5.90%22.78%-12.28%11.81%

Correlation

The correlation between IGSB and VBR is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.38

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.30

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.27

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.13

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2007

0.04

Over the past year, IGSB and VBR have become more correlated (0.38) than their long-term average of 0.04, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF

Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF

Often compared with IGSB:
IGSB vs. VCSHIGSB vs. LQDIGSB vs. SPSBIGSB vs. IGIBIGSB vs. SLQDIGSB vs. FLDRIGSB vs. AGG
Often compared with VBR:
VBR vs. AVUVVBR vs. VBVBR vs. VBKVBR vs. VOOVBR vs. VTIVBR vs. VIOVVBR vs. VSIAX

Return for Risk

IGSB vs. VBR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IGSB
IGSB Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
IGSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IGSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
IGSB Omega Ratio Rank: 8888
Omega Ratio Rank
IGSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
IGSB Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
VBR
VBR Risk / Return Rank: 5757
Overall Rank
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5353
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 5656
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IGSB vs. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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.

IGSBVBRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.47
1.65

+0.82

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.83
2.43

+1.40

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.50

1.29

+0.21

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.24

2.82

+0.42

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.12

9.94

+3.18

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGSB vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGSB Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGSB and VBR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IGSBVBRDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.47

1.65

+0.82

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.81

0.40

+0.41

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.78

0.49

+0.30

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.70

0.42

+0.28

Drawdowns

IGSB vs. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGSB drawdown since its inception was -13.38%, smaller than the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGSB and VBR.

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Drawdown Indicators

IGSBVBRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-13.38%

-61.98%

+48.60%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.46%

-8.85%

+7.39%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.46%

-24.19%

+22.73%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-9.46%

-24.19%

+14.73%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-13.38%

-45.28%

+31.90%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.51%

-0.95%

+0.44%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.85%

-8.26%

+7.41%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.36%

2.51%

-2.15%

Volatility

IGSB vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) is 0.61%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) has a volatility of 3.67%. This indicates that IGSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IGSBVBRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.61%

3.67%

-3.06%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.44%

10.49%

-9.05%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.91%

15.16%

-13.25%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.93%

19.77%

-16.84%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

3.47%

21.74%

-18.27%

IGSB vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGSB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VBR's 0.05% 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

IGSB vs. VBR - Dividend Comparison

IGSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than VBR's 1.76% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IGSB
iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF		4.59%4.44%4.02%3.26%2.07%1.82%2.36%3.06%2.46%1.65%1.45%1.18%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		1.76%1.95%1.98%2.12%2.03%1.75%1.68%2.06%2.35%1.79%1.77%1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

IGSB and VBR have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VBR has higher volatility (3.67%) compared to IGSB (0.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGSB dropped -13.38% vs VBR's -61.98%.

On 10-year performance, VBR leads with 10.50% vs 2.71% for IGSB. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IGSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VBR has performed better with a 10.50% return vs 2.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VBR is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for IGSB.

IGSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 1.76% for VBR.

IGSB is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VBR is Small Cap Value Equities. IGSB tracks ICE BofAML 1-5 Year US Corporate Index, while VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IGSB and 0.05% for VBR.

IGSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 1.65), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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