LIFT vs. VGSH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

LIFT (LifeX 2028 Income Bucket ETF) and VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. LIFT is actively managed, while VGSH is passively managed. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LIFT charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGSH.

Performance

LIFT vs. VGSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in LifeX 2028 Income Bucket ETF (LIFT) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LIFT achieves a 0.72% return, which is significantly higher than VGSH's 0.54% return.

LIFT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 0.96%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGSH

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 3.31%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 1.82%
• 10Y*: 1.74%

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

LIFT vs. VGSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
LIFT LifeX 2028 Income Bucket ETF	0.72%	1.16%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	0.54%	1.15%

Correlation

The correlation between LIFT and VGSH is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2025	0.66

Return for Risk

LIFT vs. VGSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGSH

VGSH Risk / Return Rank: 83
VGSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VGSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VGSH Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VGSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VGSH Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

LIFT vs. VGSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for LifeX 2028 Income Bucket ETF (LIFT) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	LIFT	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.93	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.23	1.02	+1.22

Drawdowns

LIFT vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIFT drawdown since its inception was -0.49%, smaller than the maximum VGSH drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIFT and VGSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIFT	VGSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.49%	-5.70%	+5.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.97%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.66%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-0.24%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.09%	-0.60%	+0.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.22%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	LIFT	VGSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.35%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.88%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24%	1.29%	-0.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.24%	1.97%	-0.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.24%	1.57%	-0.33%

LIFT vs. VGSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

LIFT has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSH's 0.03% 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

LIFT vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison

LIFT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 31.05%, more than VGSH's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIFT LifeX 2028 Income Bucket ETF	31.05%	8.63%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	3.87%	4.00%	4.18%	3.31%	1.15%	0.66%	1.74%	2.28%	1.79%	1.10%	0.84%	0.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LIFT and VGSH in my portfolio?

LIFT and VGSH have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, LIFT or VGSH?

On fees, VGSH is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, LIFT or VGSH?

VGSH is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for LIFT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LIFT or VGSH?

LIFT has the higher dividend yield at 31.05%, compared with 3.87% for VGSH.

What is the main difference between LIFT and VGSH?

They also come from different issuers: Stone Ridge and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for LIFT and 0.03% for VGSH.