SHEL vs. VUSB

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

SHEL (Shell plc) is a stock, while VUSB (Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF) is Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, SHEL returned 22.05%/yr vs 3.51%/yr for VUSB. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SHEL vs. VUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Shell plc (SHEL) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SHEL achieves a 17.00% return, which is significantly higher than VUSB's 1.79% return.

SHEL

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: -1.46%
• 6M: 17.48%
• YTD: 17.00%
• 1Y: 23.28%
• 3Y*: 16.19%
• 5Y*: 22.05%
• 10Y*: 8.78%

VUSB

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 1.69%
• YTD: 1.79%
• 1Y: 4.33%
• 3Y*: 5.30%
• 5Y*: 3.51%
• 10Y*: —

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

SHEL vs. VUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SHEL Shell plc	17.00%	22.16%	-0.87%	20.19%	36.18%	19.27%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.79%	5.20%	5.68%	5.52%	-0.36%	0.08%

Correlation

The correlation between SHEL and VUSB is -0.13, 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	-0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 2021	0.01

The correlation between SHEL and VUSB shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.01 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SHEL vs. VUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

SHEL

SHEL Risk / Return Rank: 74
SHEL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
SHEL Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
SHEL Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SHEL Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SHEL Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VUSB

VUSB Risk / Return Rank: 99
VUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
VUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

SHEL vs. VUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Shell plc (SHEL) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). 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.

	SHEL	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	6.43	-5.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	10.98	-9.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	3.06	-1.86
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	11.73	-10.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.11	66.26	-62.15

SHEL vs. VUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHEL Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is lower than the VUSB Sharpe Ratio of 6.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHEL and VUSB, 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

SHEL vs. VUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHEL drawdown since its inception was -71.57%, which is greater than VUSB's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHEL and VUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHEL	VUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.57%	-1.79%	-69.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.98%	-0.37%	-17.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.47%	-0.46%	-18.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.04%	-1.79%	-23.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-71.57%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.53%	0.00%	-9.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.72%	-0.27%	-16.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.68%	0.07%	+5.61%

Volatility

SHEL vs. VUSB - Volatility Comparison

Shell plc (SHEL) has a higher volatility of 8.34% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) at 0.26%. This indicates that SHEL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SHEL	VUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.34%	0.26%	+8.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.30%	0.57%	+17.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.70%	0.68%	+21.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.14%	0.84%	+24.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.71%	0.82%	+29.89%

Dividends

SHEL vs. VUSB - Dividend Comparison

SHEL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.50%, less than VUSB's 4.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SHEL Shell plc	3.50%	3.90%	4.39%	3.76%	3.48%	3.78%	5.69%	6.27%	6.27%	2.75%	6.49%	8.17%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	4.35%	4.63%	5.16%	4.45%	1.56%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SHEL and VUSB in my portfolio?

SHEL and VUSB have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SHEL or VUSB?

SHEL has higher volatility (8.34%) compared to VUSB (0.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHEL dropped -71.57% vs VUSB's -1.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.43 vs 1.08), 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.