PTSHX vs. VUBFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTSHX (PIMCO Short Term Fund) and VUBFX (Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - PTSHX is a Ultrashort Bond fund managed by PIMCO, while VUBFX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PTSHX returned 2.98%/yr vs 2.61%/yr for VUBFX. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. PTSHX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VUBFX.

Performance

PTSHX vs. VUBFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Short Term Fund (PTSHX) and Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares (VUBFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTSHX achieves a 1.92% return, which is significantly higher than VUBFX's 1.37% return. Over the past 10 years, PTSHX has outperformed VUBFX with an annualized return of 2.98%, while VUBFX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.61% annualized return.

PTSHX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 1.92%
• 6M: 2.31%
• 1Y: 4.87%
• 3Y*: 5.72%
• 5Y*: 3.65%
• 10Y*: 2.98%

VUBFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.37%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: 4.40%
• 3Y*: 5.33%
• 5Y*: 3.40%
• 10Y*: 2.61%

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

PTSHX vs. VUBFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTSHX PIMCO Short Term Fund	1.92%	4.88%	6.43%	6.09%	-0.55%	0.02%	2.75%	2.74%	1.51%	2.43%
VUBFX Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares	1.37%	5.04%	5.99%	5.43%	-0.53%	0.03%	1.95%	3.34%	1.94%	1.23%

Correlation

The correlation between PTSHX and VUBFX is -0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	-0.01

Return for Risk

PTSHX vs. VUBFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTSHX

PTSHX Risk / Return Rank: 99
PTSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
PTSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
PTSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PTSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
PTSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

VUBFX

VUBFX Risk / Return Rank: 100
VUBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VUBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VUBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VUBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VUBFX 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.

PTSHX vs. VUBFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Short Term Fund (PTSHX) and Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares (VUBFX). 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.

	PTSHX	VUBFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.42	5.71	-2.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	11.59	12.83	-1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.89	4.52	-0.64
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	23.80	14.79	+9.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	77.59	83.04	-5.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTSHX vs. VUBFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTSHX Sharpe Ratio is 3.42, which is lower than the VUBFX Sharpe Ratio of 5.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTSHX and VUBFX, 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

	PTSHX	VUBFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.42	5.71	-2.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.62	3.47	-0.85
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	2.22	3.14	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.71	3.11	-1.40

Drawdowns

PTSHX vs. VUBFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTSHX drawdown since its inception was -5.12%, which is greater than VUBFX's maximum drawdown of -1.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTSHX and VUBFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTSHX	VUBFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.12%	-1.86%	-3.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.21%	-0.30%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.41%	-0.30%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-2.33%	-1.86%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-4.79%	-1.86%	-2.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.19%	-0.17%	-0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.06%	0.05%	+0.01%

Volatility

PTSHX vs. VUBFX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Short Term Fund (PTSHX) has a higher volatility of 0.39% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares (VUBFX) at 0.17%. This indicates that PTSHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUBFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTSHX	VUBFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	0.17%	+0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.02%	0.54%	+0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44%	0.77%	+0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.40%	0.99%	+0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.35%	0.83%	+0.52%

PTSHX vs. VUBFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTSHX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VUBFX's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTSHX vs. VUBFX - Dividend Comparison

PTSHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, which matches VUBFX's 4.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTSHX PIMCO Short Term Fund	4.43%	4.75%	5.16%	4.51%	2.80%	0.63%	1.78%	2.92%	2.65%	1.69%	1.67%	1.57%
VUBFX Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Investor Shares	4.42%	4.62%	5.42%	4.06%	1.28%	0.43%	1.52%	2.58%	2.13%	1.43%	0.98%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTSHX and VUBFX in my portfolio?

PTSHX and VUBFX have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTSHX or VUBFX?

PTSHX has higher volatility (0.39%) compared to VUBFX (0.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTSHX dropped -5.12% vs VUBFX's -1.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.71 vs 3.42), 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.