IXC vs. VSDB
IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and VSDB (Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Energy Sector Index, while VSDB is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. IXC is passively managed, while VSDB is actively managed. Over the past year, IXC returned 48.10% vs 5.27% for VSDB. At a correlation of -0.19, they often move in opposite directions. IXC charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VSDB.
Performance
IXC vs. VSDB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXC achieves a 32.22% return, which is significantly higher than VSDB's 0.94% return.
IXC
- 1D
- 0.87%
- 1M
- -1.75%
- YTD
- 32.22%
- 6M
- 30.00%
- 1Y
- 48.10%
- 3Y*
- 18.84%
- 5Y*
- 19.64%
- 10Y*
- 10.29%
VSDB
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.23%
- YTD
- 0.94%
- 6M
- 1.35%
- 1Y
- 5.27%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IXC vs. VSDB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 32.22% | 9.53% |
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares | 0.94% | 4.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXC and VSDB is -0.25, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.25 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2025 | -0.19 |
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Return for Risk
IXC vs. VSDB — Risk / Return Rank
IXC
VSDB
IXC vs. VSDB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) and Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB). 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.
| IXC | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.63 | -0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.00 | 3.72 | +1.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.10 | 16.38 | -1.28 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IXC | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.58 | 3.04 | -0.45 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.84 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.38 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.32 | 2.65 | -2.33 |
Drawdowns
IXC vs. VSDB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, which is greater than VSDB's maximum drawdown of -1.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and VSDB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXC | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.88% | -1.42% | -66.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.66% | -1.42% | -8.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.06% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.93% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -64.16% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.84% | -0.16% | -4.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.48% | -0.19% | -17.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.20% | 0.32% | +2.88% |
Volatility
IXC vs. VSDB - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) has a higher volatility of 7.50% compared to Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) at 0.55%. This indicates that IXC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSDB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IXC | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.50% | 0.55% | +6.95% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.42% | 1.35% | +14.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.75% | 1.75% | +17.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.50% | 1.90% | +21.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.85% | 1.90% | +24.95% |
IXC vs. VSDB - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXC has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VSDB's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
IXC vs. VSDB - Dividend Comparison
IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, less than VSDB's 4.17% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 2.79% | 3.68% | 4.56% | 3.45% | 4.76% | 3.98% | 4.86% | 7.00% | 3.51% | 3.05% | 2.86% | 3.77% |
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares | 4.17% | 3.30% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IXC and VSDB have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IXC has higher volatility (7.50%) compared to VSDB (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs VSDB's -1.42%.
On 1-year performance, IXC leads with 48.10% vs 5.27% for VSDB. On fees, VSDB is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, VSDB has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, IXC has performed better with a 48.10% return vs 5.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VSDB is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXC.
VSDB has the higher dividend yield at 4.17%, compared with 2.79% for IXC.
IXC is categorized as Energy Equities, while VSDB is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXC and 0.15% for VSDB.
VSDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 2.58), 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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