SUSB vs. VCSH
SUSB (iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF) and VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - SUSB tracks the Bloomberg Barclays MSCI US Corporate 1-5 Year ESG Focus Index while VCSH tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SUSB returned 2.19%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for VCSH. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SUSB charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCSH.
Performance
SUSB vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SUSB achieves a 0.68% return, which is significantly lower than VCSH's 0.79% return.
SUSB
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- -0.30%
- 6M
- 0.38%
- YTD
- 0.68%
- 1Y
- 2.97%
- 3Y*
- 5.39%
- 5Y*
- 2.19%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 2.64%
VCSH
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- -0.22%
- 6M
- 0.39%
- YTD
- 0.79%
- 1Y
- 3.07%
- 3Y*
- 5.46%
- 5Y*
- 2.30%
- 10Y*
- 2.64%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.89%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4.18M | $4.00M | $9.18M | |
| $304.83M | $291.45M | $343.43M |
SUSB vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SUSB iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF | 0.68% | 6.81% | 4.83% | 5.98% | -5.72% | -0.76% | 4.96% | 7.02% | 0.54% | 0.28% |
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.79% | 6.77% | 4.91% | 6.20% | -5.62% | -0.63% | 5.13% | 7.02% | 0.92% | 0.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between SUSB and VCSH is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2017 | 0.84 |
The correlation between SUSB and VCSH shifts across timeframes, from 0.84 (all time) to 0.96 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SUSB vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank
SUSB
VCSH
SUSB vs. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSB) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). 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.
| SUSB | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.36 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.36 | 2.61 | -0.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.20 | 10.26 | -1.06 |
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Drawdowns
SUSB vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SUSB drawdown since its inception was -13.25%, roughly equal to the maximum VCSH drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSB and VCSH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SUSB | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.25% | -12.86% | -0.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.49% | -1.40% | -0.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.49% | -1.40% | -0.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.50% | -9.45% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -12.86% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.34% | -0.29% | -0.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.56% | -0.96% | -0.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.38% | 0.36% | +0.02% |
Volatility
SUSB vs. VCSH - Volatility Comparison
iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSB) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) have volatilities of 0.57% and 0.55%, 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
| SUSB | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.57% | 0.55% | +0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.59% | 1.56% | +0.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.98% | 1.94% | +0.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.98% | 2.90% | +0.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.70% | 3.35% | +0.35% |
SUSB vs. VCSH - Expense Ratio Comparison
SUSB has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VCSH's 0.04% 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
SUSB vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison
SUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.51%, more than VCSH's 4.46% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SUSB iShares ESG 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF | 4.14% | 4.40% | 3.81% | 2.81% | 1.74% | 1.30% | 1.91% | 2.83% | 2.61% | 0.96% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.08% | 4.35% | 3.96% | 3.09% | 2.01% | 1.81% | 2.27% | 2.87% | 2.65% | 2.26% | 2.10% | 2.08% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, SUSB and VCSH move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
SUSB has higher volatility (0.57%) compared to VCSH (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSB dropped -13.25% vs VCSH's -12.86%.
On 5-year performance, VCSH leads with 2.30% vs 2.19% for SUSB. On fees, VCSH is cheaper at 0.04% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VCSH has performed better with a 2.30% return vs 2.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCSH is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for SUSB.
SUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.14%, compared with 4.08% for VCSH.
SUSB tracks Bloomberg Barclays MSCI US Corporate 1-5 Year ESG Focus Index, while VCSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for SUSB and 0.04% for VCSH.
VCSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.77), 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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