MSB vs. VGSH
MSB (Mesabi Trust) is a stock, while VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) is Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Over the past 10 years, MSB returned 19.73%/yr vs 1.75%/yr for VGSH. Their -0.07 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past.
Performance
MSB vs. VGSH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSB achieves a -40.92% return, which is significantly lower than VGSH's 0.85% return. Over the past 10 years, MSB has outperformed VGSH with an annualized return of 19.73%, while VGSH has yielded a comparatively lower 1.75% annualized return.
MSB
- 1D
- 1.55%
- 1M
- -12.55%
- 6M
- -33.93%
- YTD
- -40.92%
- 1Y
- -21.55%
- 3Y*
- 18.43%
- 5Y*
- 1.52%
- 10Y*
- 19.73%
- ALL TIME*
- 17.61%
VGSH
- 1D
- 0.07%
- 1M
- 0.11%
- 6M
- 0.67%
- YTD
- 0.85%
- 1Y
- 2.65%
- 3Y*
- 4.22%
- 5Y*
- 1.88%
- 10Y*
- 1.75%
- ALL TIME*
- 1.41%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
MSB Mesabi Trust | $1.10M | $961.64K | $1.39M |
| $149.43M | $165.20M | $192.79M |
MSB vs. VGSH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSB Mesabi Trust | -40.92% | 71.88% | 47.05% | 15.55% | -22.81% | 3.66% | 30.10% | 12.34% | 4.11% | 155.25% |
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 0.85% | 5.07% | 4.00% | 4.31% | -3.86% | -0.60% | 3.04% | 3.52% | 1.55% | 0.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSB and VGSH is 0.03, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.03 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.06 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.01 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009 | -0.07 |
The correlation between MSB and VGSH shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (all time) to 0.06 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MSB vs. VGSH — Risk / Return Rank
MSB
VGSH
MSB vs. VGSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mesabi Trust (MSB) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MSB | VGSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.65 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.65 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.95 | 1.42 | -0.47 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.47 | 3.01 | -3.48 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.95 | 11.57 | -12.52 |
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Drawdowns
MSB vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSB drawdown since its inception was -92.01%, which is greater than VGSH's maximum drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSB and VGSH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSB | VGSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -92.01% | -5.70% | -86.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -45.80% | -0.88% | -44.92% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -45.80% | -0.97% | -44.83% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.89% | -5.62% | -40.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -66.48% | -5.70% | -60.78% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -44.69% | 0.00% | -44.69% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -26.78% | -0.59% | -26.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 22.63% | 0.23% | +22.40% |
Volatility
MSB vs. VGSH - Volatility Comparison
Mesabi Trust (MSB) has a higher volatility of 11.25% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) at 0.35%. This indicates that MSB'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.
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Volatility by Period
| MSB | VGSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.25% | 0.35% | +10.90% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 30.14% | 1.01% | +29.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 45.97% | 1.23% | +44.74% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 49.32% | 1.98% | +47.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 48.48% | 1.58% | +46.90% |
Dividends
MSB vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison
MSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, more than VGSH's 3.82% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSB Mesabi Trust | 3.99% | 18.09% | 4.80% | 1.71% | 20.14% | 10.83% | 5.95% | 14.27% | 11.78% | 5.92% | 5.14% | 15.04% |
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 3.82% | 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
MSB and VGSH have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSB has higher volatility (11.25%) compared to VGSH (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSB dropped -92.01% vs VGSH's -5.70%.
VGSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs -0.47), 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.
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