METL vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

METL (Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - METL is a Commodity Producers Equities fund actively managed by Sprott, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. METL is actively managed, while VGUS is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.15, they often move in opposite directions. METL charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

METL vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, METL achieves a 7.51% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.47% return.

METL

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -9.97%
• YTD: 7.51%
• 6M: 15.84%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGUS

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 1.47%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: 3.92%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

METL vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	7.51%	27.04%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.47%	1.22%

Correlation

The correlation between METL and VGUS is -0.15, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 11, 2025	-0.16

Return for Risk

METL vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

METL vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (METL) 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	METL	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	11.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.18	11.69	-10.52

Drawdowns

METL vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum METL drawdown since its inception was -27.39%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for METL and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	METL	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.39%	-0.07%	-27.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.48%	-0.01%	-18.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.24%	-0.00%	-8.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.01%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	METL	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.12%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.18%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.85%	0.33%	+44.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.85%	0.34%	+44.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.85%	0.34%	+44.51%

METL vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

METL has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

METL vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

METL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
METL Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF	0.92%	0.99%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both METL and VGUS in my portfolio?

METL and VGUS have a correlation of -0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, METL or VGUS?

On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, METL or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for METL.

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

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 0.92% for METL.

What is the main difference between METL and VGUS?

METL is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for METL and 0.07% for VGUS.