JPST vs. VUSB

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

JPST (JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF) and VUSB (Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, JPST returned 3.60%/yr vs 3.42%/yr for VUSB. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JPST charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VUSB.

Performance

JPST vs. VUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST) 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 JPST having a 1.38% return and VUSB slightly lower at 1.33%.

JPST

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 1.38%
• 6M: 1.72%
• 1Y: 4.29%
• 3Y*: 5.14%
• 5Y*: 3.60%
• 10Y*: —

VUSB

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 1.33%
• 6M: 1.71%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 5.34%
• 5Y*: 3.42%
• 10Y*: —

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

JPST vs. VUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
JPST JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF	1.38%	4.99%	5.58%	5.13%	1.14%	0.05%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.33%	5.20%	5.68%	5.52%	-0.36%	0.00%

Correlation

The correlation between JPST and VUSB is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2021	0.56

The correlation between JPST and VUSB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

JPST vs. VUSB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JPST	VUSB
Financial Services	22.6%	-
Communication Services	5.5%	-
Utilities	2.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.5%	-
Industrials	2.1%	-
Technology	1.8%	0.2%
Healthcare	1.5%	-
Real Estate	0.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.7%	-
Energy	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	0.2%	-

Return for Risk

JPST vs. VUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

JPST

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

VUSB

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

JPST vs. VUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST) 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.

	JPST	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	8.10	6.95	+1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	17.76	12.58	+5.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.93	3.36	+0.57
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	29.02	12.23	+16.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	142.48	70.50	+71.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JPST vs. VUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JPST Sharpe Ratio is 8.10, which is comparable to the VUSB Sharpe Ratio of 6.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JPST 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

	JPST	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.10	6.95	+1.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	6.29	4.12	+2.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.20	4.06	-0.87

Drawdowns

JPST vs. VUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JPST drawdown since its inception was -3.28%, which is greater than VUSB's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JPST and VUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	JPST	VUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.28%	-1.79%	-1.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.15%	-0.37%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.30%	-0.46%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-0.79%	-1.79%	+1.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.08%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.08%	-0.27%	+0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.03%	0.06%	-0.03%

Volatility

JPST vs. VUSB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST) is 0.16%, while Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) has a volatility of 0.18%. This indicates that JPST 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

	JPST	VUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.16%	0.18%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.36%	0.53%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53%	0.65%	-0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.58%	0.83%	-0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.93%	0.82%	+0.11%

JPST vs. VUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

JPST has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VUSB's 0.10% 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

JPST vs. VUSB - Dividend Comparison

JPST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.26%, less than VUSB's 4.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JPST JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF	4.26%	4.43%	5.16%	4.79%	1.83%	0.73%	1.43%	2.69%	2.07%	0.96%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JPST and VUSB in my portfolio?

JPST and VUSB have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JPST or VUSB?

VUSB has higher volatility (0.18%) compared to JPST (0.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JPST dropped -3.28% vs VUSB's -1.79%.

Which ETF is better, JPST or VUSB?

On 5-year performance, JPST leads with 3.60% vs 3.42% for VUSB. On fees, VUSB is cheaper at 0.10% 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, JPST or VUSB?

Over the 5-year period, JPST has performed better with a 3.60% return vs 3.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JPST or VUSB?

VUSB is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for JPST.

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

VUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.39%, compared with 4.26% for JPST.

What is the main difference between JPST and VUSB?

They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for JPST and 0.10% for VUSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JPST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.10 vs 6.95), 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.