TBUX vs. VBIL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TBUX (T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) and VBIL (Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. TBUX is actively managed, while VBIL is passively managed. Over the past year, TBUX returned 4.77% vs 3.93% for VBIL. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TBUX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIL.

Performance

TBUX vs. VBIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) and Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TBUX achieves a 1.65% return, which is significantly higher than VBIL's 1.50% return.

TBUX

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 1.65%
• 6M: 2.09%
• 1Y: 4.77%
• 3Y*: 5.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VBIL

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 3.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TBUX vs. VBIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	1.65%	4.79%
VBIL Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF	1.50%	3.71%

Correlation

The correlation between TBUX and VBIL is -0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2025	0.04

Return for Risk

TBUX vs. VBIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

TBUX

TBUX Risk / Return Rank: 99
TBUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

VBIL

VBIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
VBIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VBIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

TBUX vs. VBIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) and Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL). 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.

	TBUX	VBIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	7.13	15.17	-8.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	14.36	39.11	-24.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.08	21.10	-18.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	39.71	42.61	-2.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	170.19	532.54	-362.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TBUX vs. VBIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TBUX Sharpe Ratio is 7.13, which is lower than the VBIL Sharpe Ratio of 15.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TBUX and VBIL, 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

	TBUX	VBIL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.13	15.17	-8.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.89	13.44	-9.55

Drawdowns

TBUX vs. VBIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TBUX drawdown since its inception was -1.79%, which is greater than VBIL's maximum drawdown of -0.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBUX and VBIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	TBUX	VBIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.79%	-0.09%	-1.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.12%	-0.09%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.33%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	0.00%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.28%	-0.00%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.03%	0.01%	+0.02%

Volatility

TBUX vs. VBIL - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) has a higher volatility of 0.19% compared to Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) at 0.06%. This indicates that TBUX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TBUX	VBIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.19%	0.06%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.43%	0.16%	+0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67%	0.26%	+0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.07%	0.30%	+0.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.07%	0.30%	+0.77%

TBUX vs. VBIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

TBUX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIL's 0.07% 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

TBUX vs. VBIL - Dividend Comparison

TBUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.48%, more than VBIL's 3.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	4.48%	4.67%	5.39%	4.66%	2.58%	0.27%
VBIL Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF	3.65%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TBUX and VBIL in my portfolio?

TBUX and VBIL have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TBUX or VBIL?

TBUX has higher volatility (0.19%) compared to VBIL (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBUX dropped -1.79% vs VBIL's -0.09%.

Which ETF is better, TBUX or VBIL?

On 1-year performance, TBUX leads with 4.77% vs 3.93% for VBIL. On fees, VBIL is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VBIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TBUX or VBIL?

Over the 1-year period, TBUX has performed better with a 4.77% return vs 3.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TBUX or VBIL?

VBIL is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for TBUX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TBUX or VBIL?

TBUX has the higher dividend yield at 4.48%, compared with 3.65% for VBIL.

What is the main difference between TBUX and VBIL?

They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for TBUX and 0.07% for VBIL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (15.17 vs 7.13), 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.