SPSB vs. VGSH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPSB (SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPSB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-3 Year Corporate Bond Index, while VGSH is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPSB returned 2.63%/yr vs 1.74%/yr for VGSH. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPSB charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGSH.

Performance

SPSB vs. VGSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPSB achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly higher than VGSH's 0.48% return. Over the past 10 years, SPSB has outperformed VGSH with an annualized return of 2.63%, while VGSH has yielded a comparatively lower 1.74% annualized return.

SPSB

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.84%
• 6M: 1.17%
• 1Y: 4.29%
• 3Y*: 5.29%
• 5Y*: 2.69%
• 10Y*: 2.63%

VGSH

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 0.48%
• 6M: 0.74%
• 1Y: 3.43%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 1.81%
• 10Y*: 1.74%

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

SPSB vs. VGSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPSB SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.84%	5.86%	5.25%	5.60%	-3.31%	-0.20%	3.83%	5.21%	1.45%	1.58%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	0.48%	5.07%	4.00%	4.31%	-3.86%	-0.60%	3.04%	3.52%	1.55%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between SPSB and VGSH is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2009	0.51

Over the past year, SPSB and VGSH have become more correlated (0.85) than their long-term average of 0.51, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

SPSB vs. VGSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPSB

SPSB Risk / Return Rank: 92
SPSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SPSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SPSB Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SPSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SPSB Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VGSH

VGSH Risk / Return Rank: 83
VGSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VGSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VGSH Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VGSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VGSH Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

SPSB vs. VGSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). 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.

	SPSB	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.25	2.68	+0.58
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.36	4.43	+0.94
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	1.57	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.94	3.90	+1.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	22.90	15.52	+7.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPSB vs. VGSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPSB Sharpe Ratio is 3.25, which is comparable to the VGSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPSB and VGSH, 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

	SPSB	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25	2.68	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.36	0.93	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	1.11	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	1.01	-0.15

Drawdowns

SPSB vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPSB drawdown since its inception was -11.75%, which is greater than VGSH's maximum drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPSB and VGSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPSB	VGSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.75%	-5.70%	-6.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.87%	-0.88%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.87%	-0.97%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.96%	-5.66%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.75%	-5.70%	-6.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.29%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.54%	-0.60%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.19%	0.22%	-0.03%

Volatility

SPSB vs. VGSH - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) have volatilities of 0.35% and 0.35%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPSB	VGSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	0.35%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.94%	0.88%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.33%	1.29%	+0.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.98%	1.97%	+0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.06%	1.57%	+1.49%

SPSB vs. VGSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPSB has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSH's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPSB vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison

SPSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.41%, more than VGSH's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPSB SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.41%	4.55%	4.85%	4.05%	1.92%	1.19%	1.94%	2.77%	2.36%	1.94%	1.65%	1.43%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	3.87%	4.00%	4.18%	3.31%	1.15%	0.66%	1.74%	2.28%	1.79%	1.10%	0.84%	0.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPSB and VGSH in my portfolio?

SPSB and VGSH have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPSB or VGSH?

VGSH has higher volatility (0.35%) compared to SPSB (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPSB dropped -11.75% vs VGSH's -5.70%.

Which ETF is better, SPSB or VGSH?

On 10-year performance, SPSB leads with 2.63% vs 1.74% for VGSH. On fees, VGSH is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPSB or VGSH?

Over the 10-year period, SPSB has performed better with a 2.63% return vs 1.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPSB or VGSH?

VGSH is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for SPSB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPSB or VGSH?

SPSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.41%, compared with 3.87% for VGSH.

What is the main difference between SPSB and VGSH?

SPSB is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VGSH is Government Bonds. SPSB tracks Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-3 Year Corporate Bond Index, while VGSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for SPSB and 0.03% for VGSH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.25 vs 2.68), 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.