NEAR vs. VGPMX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

NEAR (iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF) and VGPMX (Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund) are both funds - NEAR is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by iShares, while VGPMX is a Global Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, NEAR returned 2.85%/yr vs 10.81%/yr for VGPMX. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NEAR charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for VGPMX.

Performance

NEAR vs. VGPMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) and Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NEAR achieves a 0.79% return, which is significantly lower than VGPMX's 15.44% return. Over the past 10 years, NEAR has underperformed VGPMX with an annualized return of 2.85%, while VGPMX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.81% annualized return.

NEAR

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.79%
• 6M: 1.16%
• 1Y: 4.05%
• 3Y*: 5.61%
• 5Y*: 3.87%
• 10Y*: 2.85%

VGPMX

• 1D: 2.65%
• 1M: -3.44%
• YTD: 15.44%
• 6M: 19.37%
• 1Y: 53.94%
• 3Y*: 29.26%
• 5Y*: 19.29%
• 10Y*: 10.81%

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

NEAR vs. VGPMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF	0.79%	5.90%	5.09%	7.42%	0.41%	0.32%	1.39%	3.55%	1.71%	1.41%
VGPMX Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund	15.44%	65.96%	5.78%	10.06%	7.34%	19.50%	17.21%	20.67%	-32.26%	13.75%

Correlation

The correlation between NEAR and VGPMX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2013	0.09

Over the past year, NEAR and VGPMX have become more correlated (0.29) than their long-term average of 0.09, meaning their price movements have been converging.

NEAR vs. VGPMX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NEAR	VGPMX
Financial Services	0.1%	5.7%
Basic Materials	-	38.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	9.4%
Energy	-	4.4%
Healthcare	-	11.9%
Industrials	-	2.6%
Real Estate	-	2.2%
Technology	-	9.5%
Utilities	-	4.7%
Communication Services	-0.0%	6.5%

Return for Risk

NEAR vs. VGPMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NEAR

NEAR Risk / Return Rank: 90
NEAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
NEAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
NEAR Omega Ratio Rank: 94
NEAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
NEAR Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VGPMX

VGPMX Risk / Return Rank: 92
VGPMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VGPMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VGPMX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VGPMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VGPMX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

NEAR vs. VGPMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) and Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX). 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.

	NEAR	VGPMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.99	3.14	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.71	3.81	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.54	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.59	4.32	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.36	17.40	-1.03

NEAR vs. VGPMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEAR Sharpe Ratio is 2.99, which is comparable to the VGPMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEAR and VGPMX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NEAR vs. VGPMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NEAR drawdown since its inception was -9.61%, smaller than the maximum VGPMX drawdown of -78.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NEAR and VGPMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NEAR	VGPMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.61%	-78.85%	+69.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.13%	-12.80%	+11.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.16%	-14.63%	+13.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.32%	-22.71%	+21.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.61%	-54.59%	+44.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-4.71%	+4.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.16%	-34.53%	+34.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	3.17%	-2.92%

Volatility

NEAR vs. VGPMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) is 0.44%, while Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (VGPMX) has a volatility of 7.38%. This indicates that NEAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGPMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NEAR	VGPMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.44%	7.38%	-6.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.02%	14.90%	-13.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36%	17.61%	-16.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.34%	17.54%	-16.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.50%	20.91%	-18.41%

NEAR vs. VGPMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NEAR has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than VGPMX's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

NEAR vs. VGPMX - Dividend Comparison

NEAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, more than VGPMX's 3.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF	4.43%	4.54%	5.00%	4.59%	1.78%	0.76%	1.53%	2.69%	2.25%	1.52%	1.07%	0.85%
VGPMX Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund	3.38%	2.59%	2.68%	3.22%	3.27%	3.26%	2.03%	2.39%	3.02%	0.02%	1.72%	2.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NEAR and VGPMX in my portfolio?

NEAR and VGPMX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NEAR or VGPMX?

VGPMX has higher volatility (7.38%) compared to NEAR (0.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NEAR dropped -9.61% vs VGPMX's -78.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGPMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.14 vs 2.99), 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.