LSBDX vs. VGSH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

LSBDX (Loomis Sayles Bond Fund) and VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) are both funds - LSBDX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by Loomis Sayles Funds, while VGSH is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Over the past 10 years, LSBDX returned 3.34%/yr vs 1.74%/yr for VGSH. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LSBDX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGSH.

Performance

LSBDX vs. VGSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Loomis Sayles Bond Fund (LSBDX) 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, LSBDX achieves a -0.19% return, which is significantly lower than VGSH's 0.52% return. Over the past 10 years, LSBDX has outperformed VGSH with an annualized return of 3.34%, while VGSH has yielded a comparatively lower 1.74% annualized return.

LSBDX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -0.07%
• YTD: -0.19%
• 6M: 0.30%
• 1Y: 5.12%
• 3Y*: 7.01%
• 5Y*: 2.21%
• 10Y*: 3.34%

VGSH

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.01%
• YTD: 0.52%
• 6M: 0.86%
• 1Y: 3.45%
• 3Y*: 4.16%
• 5Y*: 1.83%
• 10Y*: 1.74%

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

LSBDX vs. VGSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LSBDX Loomis Sayles Bond Fund	-0.19%	8.67%	6.70%	8.05%	-12.50%	3.23%	2.14%	11.72%	-2.87%	7.47%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	0.52%	5.07%	4.00%	4.31%	-3.86%	-0.60%	3.04%	3.52%	1.55%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between LSBDX and VGSH is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.27

Over the past year, LSBDX and VGSH have become more correlated (0.67) than their long-term average of 0.27, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

LSBDX vs. VGSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

LSBDX

LSBDX Risk / Return Rank: 34
LSBDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
LSBDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
LSBDX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
LSBDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
LSBDX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VGSH

VGSH Risk / Return Rank: 83
VGSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VGSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VGSH Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VGSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
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.

LSBDX vs. VGSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Loomis Sayles Bond Fund (LSBDX) 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.

	LSBDX	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	2.69	-0.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	4.45	-1.75
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.57	-0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	3.81	-1.86
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.52	15.25	-8.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LSBDX vs. VGSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LSBDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is lower than the VGSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LSBDX and VGSH, 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

	LSBDX	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	2.69	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.93	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	1.11	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.41	1.02	+0.39

Drawdowns

LSBDX vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LSBDX drawdown since its inception was -30.58%, which is greater than VGSH's maximum drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LSBDX and VGSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	LSBDX	VGSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.58%	-5.70%	-24.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.25%	-0.88%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.55%	-0.97%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.60%	-5.66%	-10.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.60%	-5.70%	-10.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.59%	-0.26%	-1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.80%	-0.60%	-2.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	0.22%	+0.75%

Volatility

LSBDX vs. VGSH - Volatility Comparison

Loomis Sayles Bond Fund (LSBDX) has a higher volatility of 1.28% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) at 0.36%. This indicates that LSBDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LSBDX	VGSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.28%	0.36%	+0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.60%	0.88%	+1.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.45%	1.29%	+2.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.01%	1.97%	+3.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.88%	1.57%	+3.31%

LSBDX vs. VGSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

LSBDX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSH's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

LSBDX vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison

LSBDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, which matches VGSH's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LSBDX Loomis Sayles Bond Fund	3.87%	4.15%	5.51%	5.09%	5.13%	2.88%	3.83%	3.97%	3.78%	5.86%	3.13%	7.37%
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 LSBDX and VGSH in my portfolio?

LSBDX and VGSH have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LSBDX or VGSH?

LSBDX has higher volatility (1.28%) compared to VGSH (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LSBDX dropped -30.58% vs VGSH's -5.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 1.79), 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.