IGSB vs. VCSH
IGSB (iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - IGSB tracks the ICE BofAML 1-5 Year US Corporate Index while VCSH tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGSB returned 2.73%/yr vs 2.68%/yr for VCSH. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IGSB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCSH.
Performance
IGSB vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IGSB achieves a 0.79% return, which is significantly higher than VCSH's 0.72% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IGSB having a 2.73% annualized return and VCSH not far behind at 2.68%.
IGSB
- 1D
- 0.19%
- 1M
- 0.34%
- YTD
- 0.79%
- 6M
- 0.95%
- 1Y
- 4.50%
- 3Y*
- 5.72%
- 5Y*
- 2.49%
- 10Y*
- 2.73%
VCSH
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- 0.34%
- YTD
- 0.72%
- 6M
- 0.91%
- 1Y
- 4.39%
- 3Y*
- 5.59%
- 5Y*
- 2.39%
- 10Y*
- 2.68%
IGSB vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGSB iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.79% | 6.96% | 4.97% | 6.40% | -5.63% | -0.56% | 5.37% | 7.11% | 1.25% | 1.27% |
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.72% | 6.77% | 4.91% | 6.20% | -5.62% | -0.63% | 5.13% | 7.02% | 0.92% | 2.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between IGSB and VCSH is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009 | 0.73 |
Over the past year, IGSB and VCSH have become more correlated (0.97) than their long-term average of 0.73, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
IGSB vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank
IGSB
VCSH
IGSB vs. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) 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.
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.
| IGSB | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.46 | 1.45 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.10 | 3.15 | -0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.44 | 12.78 | -0.34 |
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Drawdowns
IGSB vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IGSB drawdown since its inception was -13.38%, roughly equal to the maximum VCSH drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGSB and VCSH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IGSB | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.38% | -12.86% | -0.52% |
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 | -9.46% | -9.48% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.38% | -12.86% | -0.52% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.24% | -0.24% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.85% | -0.96% | +0.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.36% | 0.34% | +0.02% |
Volatility
IGSB vs. VCSH - Volatility Comparison
iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) have volatilities of 0.72% and 0.72%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IGSB | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.50% | 1.47% | +0.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.95% | 1.92% | +0.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.94% | 2.89% | +0.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.47% | 3.35% | +0.12% |
IGSB vs. VCSH - Expense Ratio Comparison
IGSB has a 0.06% 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
IGSB vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison
IGSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than VCSH's 4.45% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGSB iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.57% | 4.44% | 4.02% | 3.26% | 2.07% | 1.82% | 2.36% | 3.06% | 2.46% | 1.65% | 1.45% | 1.18% |
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
With a correlation of 0.97, IGSB 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.
VCSH has higher volatility (0.72%) compared to IGSB (0.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGSB dropped -13.38% vs VCSH's -12.86%.
On 10-year performance, IGSB leads with 2.73% vs 2.68% for VCSH. 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.
Over the 10-year period, IGSB has performed better with a 2.73% return vs 2.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCSH is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for IGSB.
IGSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.57%, compared with 4.45% for VCSH.
IGSB tracks ICE BofAML 1-5 Year US Corporate Index, while VCSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IGSB and 0.04% for VCSH.
IGSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 2.30), 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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