NUSA vs. VSDB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NUSA (Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and VSDB (Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds. NUSA is passively managed, while VSDB is actively managed. Over the past year, NUSA returned 3.56% vs 5.06% for VSDB. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

NUSA vs. VSDB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA) and Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUSA achieves a 0.48% return, which is significantly lower than VSDB's 1.00% return.

NUSA

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 0.48%
• 6M: 0.72%
• 1Y: 3.56%
• 3Y*: 4.37%
• 5Y*: 1.53%
• 10Y*: —

VSDB

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.00%
• 6M: 1.50%
• 1Y: 5.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NUSA vs. VSDB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NUSA Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.48%	3.24%
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	1.00%	4.85%

Correlation

The correlation between NUSA and VSDB is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2025	0.79

The correlation between NUSA and VSDB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NUSA vs. VSDB — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUSA

NUSA Risk / Return Rank: 62
NUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
NUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
NUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 66
NUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
NUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 57

VSDB

VSDB Risk / Return Rank: 85
VSDB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VSDB Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VSDB Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VSDB Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VSDB Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

NUSA vs. VSDB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA) and Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB). 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.

	NUSA	VSDB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.94	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	4.61	-1.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.61	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	3.57	-0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.89	15.78	-5.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUSA vs. VSDB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is lower than the VSDB Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUSA and VSDB, 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

	NUSA	VSDB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.94	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	2.68	-1.86

Drawdowns

NUSA vs. VSDB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUSA drawdown since its inception was -9.44%, which is greater than VSDB's maximum drawdown of -1.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUSA and VSDB.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUSA	VSDB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.44%	-1.42%	-8.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.28%	-1.42%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-0.10%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.65%	-0.19%	-1.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	0.32%	+0.04%

Volatility

NUSA vs. VSDB - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA) has a higher volatility of 0.66% compared to Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) at 0.55%. This indicates that NUSA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSDB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUSA	VSDB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.66%	0.55%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.33%	1.35%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82%	1.75%	+0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.80%	1.89%	+0.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.72%	1.89%	+0.83%

NUSA vs. VSDB - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NUSA and VSDB have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NUSA vs. VSDB - Dividend Comparison

NUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, less than VSDB's 4.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUSA Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	3.86%	3.83%	3.93%	3.54%	2.44%	2.16%	2.51%	2.85%	3.22%	2.20%
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	4.16%	3.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUSA and VSDB in my portfolio?

NUSA and VSDB have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUSA or VSDB?

NUSA has higher volatility (0.66%) compared to VSDB (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUSA dropped -9.44% vs VSDB's -1.42%.

Which ETF is better, NUSA or VSDB?

On 1-year performance, VSDB leads with 5.06% vs 3.56% for NUSA. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, VSDB has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUSA or VSDB?

Over the 1-year period, VSDB has performed better with a 5.06% return vs 3.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUSA or VSDB?

NUSA and VSDB have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUSA or VSDB?

VSDB has the higher dividend yield at 4.16%, compared with 3.86% for NUSA.

What is the main difference between NUSA and VSDB?

They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Vanguard.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 1.98), 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.