SVARX vs. VUSB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SVARX (Spectrum Low Volatility Fund) and VUSB (Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both funds - SVARX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund managed by Advisors Preferred, while VUSB is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, SVARX returned 3.29%/yr vs 3.43%/yr for VUSB. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SVARX charges 2.34%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VUSB.

Performance

SVARX vs. VUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Spectrum Low Volatility Fund (SVARX) 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, SVARX achieves a 1.52% return, which is significantly higher than VUSB's 1.39% return.

SVARX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 1.52%
• 6M: 2.18%
• 1Y: 6.13%
• 3Y*: 6.93%
• 5Y*: 3.29%
• 10Y*: 6.11%

VUSB

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 4.59%
• 3Y*: 5.34%
• 5Y*: 3.43%
• 10Y*: —

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

SVARX vs. VUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SVARX Spectrum Low Volatility Fund	1.52%	6.22%	2.60%	9.67%	-4.35%	2.36%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.39%	5.20%	5.68%	5.52%	-0.36%	0.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SVARX and VUSB is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2021	0.37

Return for Risk

SVARX vs. VUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

SVARX

SVARX Risk / Return Rank: 53
SVARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SVARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SVARX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SVARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
SVARX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

VUSB

VUSB Risk / Return Rank: 98
VUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
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.

SVARX vs. VUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Spectrum Low Volatility Fund (SVARX) 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.

	SVARX	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	7.10	-4.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	13.16	-9.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	3.44	-1.93
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	12.43	-9.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.83	71.97	-66.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SVARX vs. VUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SVARX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is lower than the VUSB Sharpe Ratio of 7.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SVARX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SVARX	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	7.10	-4.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.07	4.14	-3.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.66	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.71	4.09	-2.39

Drawdowns

SVARX vs. VUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SVARX drawdown since its inception was -6.48%, which is greater than VUSB's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVARX and VUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SVARX	VUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.48%	-1.79%	-4.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.55%	-0.37%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.55%	-0.46%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.48%	-1.79%	-4.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.48%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	-0.02%	-1.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.22%	-0.27%	-0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	0.06%	+1.02%

Volatility

SVARX vs. VUSB - Volatility Comparison

Spectrum Low Volatility Fund (SVARX) has a higher volatility of 0.64% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) at 0.18%. This indicates that SVARX'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

	SVARX	VUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	0.18%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.16%	0.52%	+1.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66%	0.65%	+2.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.09%	0.83%	+2.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.68%	0.82%	+2.86%

SVARX vs. VUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SVARX has a 2.34% expense ratio, which is higher than VUSB's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

SVARX vs. VUSB - Dividend Comparison

SVARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.86%, more than VUSB's 4.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SVARX Spectrum Low Volatility Fund	5.86%	5.95%	9.35%	3.35%	0.00%	5.85%	0.71%	4.91%	2.41%	6.90%	9.07%	3.02%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	4.39%	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 SVARX and VUSB in my portfolio?

SVARX and VUSB have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SVARX or VUSB?

SVARX has higher volatility (0.64%) compared to VUSB (0.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVARX dropped -6.48% vs VUSB's -1.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.10 vs 2.37), 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.