SHUS vs. VABS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SHUS (Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF) and VABS (Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SHUS is a Hedge Fund fund actively managed by Syntax Advisors, while VABS is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SHUS returned 17.10% vs 4.26% for VABS. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SHUS charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for VABS.

Performance

SHUS vs. VABS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF (SHUS) and Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SHUS achieves a 8.58% return, which is significantly higher than VABS's 1.39% return.

SHUS

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 3.21%
• YTD: 8.58%
• 6M: 8.70%
• 1Y: 17.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VABS

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 1.54%
• 1Y: 4.26%
• 3Y*: 6.31%
• 5Y*: 3.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

SHUS vs. VABS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SHUS Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF	8.58%	10.89%	-2.65%
VABS Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF	1.39%	5.40%	0.77%

Correlation

The correlation between SHUS and VABS is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2024	0.07

Return for Risk

SHUS vs. VABS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SHUS

SHUS Risk / Return Rank: 51
SHUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SHUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SHUS Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SHUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
SHUS Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VABS

VABS Risk / Return Rank: 69
VABS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VABS Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VABS Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VABS Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
VABS Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

SHUS vs. VABS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF (SHUS) and Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS). 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.

	SHUS	VABS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.10	-0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	2.88	-0.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.46	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	4.34	-1.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.81	11.20	-2.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SHUS vs. VABS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the VABS Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHUS and VABS, 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

	SHUS	VABS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	2.10	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	1.40	-0.60

Drawdowns

SHUS vs. VABS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHUS drawdown since its inception was -14.09%, which is greater than VABS's maximum drawdown of -7.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHUS and VABS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHUS	VABS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.09%	-7.12%	-6.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.95%	-0.98%	-5.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-7.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-0.14%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.65%	-1.42%	-1.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	0.38%	+1.56%

Volatility

SHUS vs. VABS - Volatility Comparison

Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF (SHUS) has a higher volatility of 2.31% compared to Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS) at 0.40%. This indicates that SHUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VABS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SHUS	VABS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.31%	0.40%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.06%	1.07%	+5.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.01%	2.04%	+7.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.61%	2.30%	+10.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.61%	2.24%	+10.37%

SHUS vs. VABS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHUS has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VABS's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

SHUS vs. VABS - Dividend Comparison

SHUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, less than VABS's 5.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SHUS Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF	1.27%	1.37%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VABS Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF	5.18%	4.94%	5.05%	4.13%	2.47%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SHUS and VABS in my portfolio?

SHUS and VABS have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SHUS or VABS?

SHUS has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to VABS (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHUS dropped -14.09% vs VABS's -7.12%.

Which ETF is better, SHUS or VABS?

On 1-year performance, SHUS leads with 17.10% vs 4.26% for VABS. On fees, VABS is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, VABS has been the lower-risk option at 0.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SHUS or VABS?

Over the 1-year period, SHUS has performed better with a 17.10% return vs 4.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SHUS or VABS?

VABS is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SHUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SHUS or VABS?

VABS has the higher dividend yield at 5.18%, compared with 1.27% for SHUS.

What is the main difference between SHUS and VABS?

SHUS is categorized as Hedge Fund, while VABS is Mortgage Backed Securities. They also come from different issuers: Syntax Advisors and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SHUS and 0.39% for VABS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VABS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.72), 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.