TUA vs. VGUS

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

TUA (Simplify Short Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TUA is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Simplify, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. TUA is actively managed, while VGUS is passively managed. Over the past year, TUA returned -3.65% vs 3.86% for VGUS. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TUA charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

TUA vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Short Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF (TUA) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TUA achieves a -6.58% return, which is significantly lower than VGUS's 1.81% return.

TUA

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: -1.41%
• 6M: -6.05%
• YTD: -6.58%
• 1Y: -3.65%
• 3Y*: -0.05%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGUS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 1.71%
• YTD: 1.81%
• 1Y: 3.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TUA vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TUA Simplify Short Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF	-6.58%	7.17%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.81%	3.78%

Correlation

The correlation between TUA and VGUS is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2025	0.22

Return for Risk

TUA vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

TUA

TUA Risk / Return Rank: 5
TUA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
TUA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
TUA Omega Ratio Rank: 4
TUA Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
TUA Martin Ratio Rank: 4

VGUS

VGUS Risk / Return Rank: 100
VGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS 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.

TUA vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Short Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF (TUA) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). 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.

	TUA	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.52	11.85	-12.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.69	34.08	-34.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	10.36	-9.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.50	53.21	-53.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.13	402.51	-403.64

TUA vs. VGUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TUA Sharpe Ratio is -0.52, which is lower than the VGUS Sharpe Ratio of 11.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TUA and VGUS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TUA vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TUA drawdown since its inception was -15.85%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TUA and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	TUA	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.85%	-0.07%	-15.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.37%	-0.07%	-7.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.19%	0.00%	-11.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.41%	-0.00%	-8.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.24%	0.01%	+3.23%

Volatility

TUA vs. VGUS - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Short Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF (TUA) has a higher volatility of 2.56% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) at 0.07%. This indicates that TUA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TUA	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.56%	0.07%	+2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.43%	0.18%	+5.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.02%	0.33%	+6.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.71%	0.34%	+10.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.71%	0.34%	+10.37%

TUA vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

TUA has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS'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

TUA vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

TUA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.36%, less than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
TUA Simplify Short Term Treasury Futures Strategy ETF	3.36%	3.84%	5.19%	4.83%	0.15%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TUA and VGUS in my portfolio?

TUA and VGUS have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TUA or VGUS?

TUA has higher volatility (2.56%) compared to VGUS (0.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TUA dropped -15.85% vs VGUS's -0.07%.

Which ETF is better, TUA or VGUS?

On 1-year performance, VGUS leads with 3.86% vs -3.65% for TUA. On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VGUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TUA or VGUS?

Over the 1-year period, VGUS has performed better with a 3.86% return vs -3.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TUA or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for TUA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TUA or VGUS?

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 3.36% for TUA.

What is the main difference between TUA and VGUS?

TUA is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for TUA and 0.07% for VGUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.85 vs -0.52), 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.