SPSB vs. VSDB
SPSB (SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VSDB (Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - SPSB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-3 Year Corporate Bond Index, while VSDB is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. SPSB is passively managed, while VSDB is actively managed. Over the past year, SPSB returned 4.05% vs 4.63% for VSDB. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPSB charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VSDB.
Performance
SPSB vs. VSDB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SPSB having a 1.01% return and VSDB slightly lower at 0.98%.
SPSB
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 0.29%
- YTD
- 1.01%
- 6M
- 1.24%
- 1Y
- 4.05%
- 3Y*
- 5.35%
- 5Y*
- 2.76%
- 10Y*
- 2.61%
VSDB
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 0.33%
- YTD
- 0.98%
- 6M
- 1.21%
- 1Y
- 4.63%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SPSB vs. VSDB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
SPSB SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 1.01% | 4.16% |
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares | 0.98% | 4.88% |
Correlation
The correlation between SPSB and VSDB is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2025 | 0.78 |
The correlation between SPSB and VSDB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SPSB vs. VSDB — Risk / Return Rank
SPSB
VSDB
SPSB vs. VSDB - 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 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.
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.
| SPSB | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.58 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.65 | 1.55 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.66 | 3.26 | +1.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 21.47 | 14.27 | +7.20 |
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Drawdowns
SPSB vs. VSDB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SPSB drawdown since its inception was -11.75%, which is greater than VSDB's maximum drawdown of -1.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPSB and VSDB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SPSB | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -11.75% | -1.42% | -10.33% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.87% | -1.42% | +0.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.87% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -5.96% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -11.75% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.07% | -0.24% | +0.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.54% | -0.19% | -0.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.19% | 0.32% | -0.13% |
Volatility
SPSB vs. VSDB - Volatility Comparison
SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPSB) and Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) have volatilities of 0.50% and 0.52%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| SPSB | VSDB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.50% | 0.52% | -0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.01% | 1.39% | -0.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.37% | 1.74% | -0.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.99% | 1.90% | +0.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.06% | 1.90% | +1.16% |
SPSB vs. VSDB - Expense Ratio Comparison
SPSB has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VSDB's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, 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. VSDB - Dividend Comparison
SPSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.40%, more than VSDB's 4.16% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPSB SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.40% | 4.55% | 4.85% | 4.05% | 1.92% | 1.19% | 1.94% | 2.77% | 2.36% | 1.94% | 1.65% | 1.43% |
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares | 4.16% | 3.30% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SPSB and VSDB have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VSDB has higher volatility (0.52%) compared to SPSB (0.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPSB dropped -11.75% vs VSDB's -1.42%.
On 1-year performance, VSDB leads with 4.63% vs 4.05% for SPSB. On fees, SPSB is cheaper at 0.07% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, VSDB has performed better with a 4.63% return vs 4.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPSB is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for VSDB.
SPSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.40%, compared with 4.16% for VSDB.
SPSB is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VSDB is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for SPSB and 0.15% for VSDB.
SPSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.67), 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.
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