OILU vs. VSDB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

OILU (MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN) and VSDB (Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - OILU is a Leveraged Commodities fund managed by BMO, while VSDB is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past year, OILU returned 128.74% vs 5.06% for VSDB. At a correlation of -0.23, they often move in opposite directions. OILU charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VSDB.

Performance

OILU vs. VSDB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) 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, OILU achieves a 96.66% return, which is significantly higher than VSDB's 1.00% return.

OILU

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -9.58%
• YTD: 96.66%
• 6M: 75.27%
• 1Y: 128.74%
• 3Y*: 11.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

OILU vs. VSDB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	96.66%	-10.04%
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	1.00%	4.85%

Correlation

The correlation between OILU and VSDB is -0.28, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2025	-0.23

Return for Risk

OILU vs. VSDB — Risk / Return Rank

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

OILU

OILU Risk / Return Rank: 59
OILU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
OILU Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
OILU Omega Ratio Rank: 48
OILU Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
OILU 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.

OILU vs. VSDB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) 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.

	OILU	VSDB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	2.94	-0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	4.61	-2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.61	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.86	3.57	+0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.65	15.78	-6.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

OILU vs. VSDB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OILU Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the VSDB Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OILU 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

	OILU	VSDB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	2.94	-0.85
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	2.68	-2.51

Drawdowns

OILU vs. VSDB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OILU drawdown since its inception was -81.00%, which is greater than VSDB's maximum drawdown of -1.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OILU and VSDB.

Drawdown Indicators

	OILU	VSDB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.00%	-1.42%	-79.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.51%	-1.42%	-32.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-69.09%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-47.11%	-0.10%	-47.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-50.59%	-0.19%	-50.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.39%	0.32%	+13.07%

Volatility

OILU vs. VSDB - Volatility Comparison

MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) has a higher volatility of 25.13% compared to Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) at 0.55%. This indicates that OILU'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

	OILU	VSDB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.13%	0.55%	+24.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	49.75%	1.35%	+48.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	62.13%	1.75%	+60.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	81.12%	1.89%	+79.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	81.12%	1.89%	+79.23%

OILU vs. VSDB - Expense Ratio Comparison

OILU has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VSDB's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

OILU vs. VSDB - Dividend Comparison

OILU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VSDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.16%.

Position	TTM	2025
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	4.16%	3.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OILU and VSDB in my portfolio?

OILU and VSDB have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OILU or VSDB?

OILU has higher volatility (25.13%) compared to VSDB (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OILU dropped -81.00% vs VSDB's -1.42%.

Which ETF is better, OILU or VSDB?

On 1-year performance, OILU leads with 128.74% vs 5.06% for VSDB. On fees, VSDB is cheaper at 0.15% per year. 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, OILU or VSDB?

Over the 1-year period, OILU has performed better with a 128.74% return vs 5.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OILU or VSDB?

VSDB is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for OILU.

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

VSDB has the higher dividend yield at 4.16%, compared with 0.00% for OILU.

What is the main difference between OILU and VSDB?

OILU is categorized as Leveraged Commodities, while VSDB is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: BMO and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for OILU and 0.15% for VSDB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.09), 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.