KCSH vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KCSH (KraneShares Sustainable Ultra Short Duration Index ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds - KCSH tracks the Solactive ISS Sustainable Select 0-1 Year USD Corporate IG Index while VGUS tracks the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, KCSH returned 4.06% vs 3.95% for VGUS. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. KCSH charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

KCSH vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in KraneShares Sustainable Ultra Short Duration Index ETF (KCSH) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). 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 KCSH having a 1.49% return and VGUS slightly lower at 1.44%.

KCSH

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 1.49%
• 6M: 1.83%
• 1Y: 4.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGUS

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.44%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KCSH vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
KCSH KraneShares Sustainable Ultra Short Duration Index ETF	1.49%	3.91%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.44%	3.77%

Correlation

The correlation between KCSH and VGUS is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2025	0.12

Return for Risk

KCSH vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

KCSH

KCSH Risk / Return Rank: 95
KCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
KCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
KCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 98
KCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
KCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 98

VGUS

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

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.

KCSH vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for KraneShares Sustainable Ultra Short Duration Index ETF (KCSH) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). 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.

	KCSH	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.30	12.10	-8.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.65	35.16	-30.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.16	10.91	-8.75
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.00	54.56	-47.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	59.08	414.20	-355.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KCSH vs. VGUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KCSH Sharpe Ratio is 3.30, which is lower than the VGUS Sharpe Ratio of 12.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KCSH and VGUS, 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

	KCSH	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.30	12.10	-8.80
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.26	11.72	-8.46

Drawdowns

KCSH vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KCSH drawdown since its inception was -0.58%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KCSH and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	KCSH	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.58%	-0.07%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.58%	-0.07%	-0.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.03%	-0.00%	-0.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.07%	0.01%	+0.06%

Volatility

KCSH vs. VGUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for KraneShares Sustainable Ultra Short Duration Index ETF (KCSH) is 0.06%, while Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) has a volatility of 0.11%. This indicates that KCSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KCSH	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.06%	0.11%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.83%	0.18%	+0.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24%	0.33%	+0.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.33%	0.34%	+0.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.33%	0.34%	+0.99%

KCSH vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

KCSH has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% 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

KCSH vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

KCSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.97%, more than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
KCSH KraneShares Sustainable Ultra Short Duration Index ETF	3.97%	4.35%	2.08%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KCSH and VGUS in my portfolio?

KCSH and VGUS have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KCSH or VGUS?

VGUS has higher volatility (0.11%) compared to KCSH (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KCSH dropped -0.58% vs VGUS's -0.07%.

Which ETF is better, KCSH or VGUS?

On 1-year performance, KCSH leads with 4.06% vs 3.95% for VGUS. On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% 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, KCSH or VGUS?

Over the 1-year period, KCSH has performed better with a 4.06% return vs 3.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KCSH or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for KCSH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, KCSH or VGUS?

KCSH has the higher dividend yield at 3.97%, compared with 3.61% for VGUS.

What is the main difference between KCSH and VGUS?

KCSH tracks Solactive ISS Sustainable Select 0-1 Year USD Corporate IG Index, while VGUS tracks Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: KraneShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for KCSH and 0.07% for VGUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.10 vs 3.30), 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.