USTB vs. BBSB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

USTB (VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF) and BBSB (JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USTB is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg 1–3 Year Credit Index, while BBSB is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, USTB returned 6.14%/yr vs 4.16%/yr for BBSB. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USTB charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for BBSB.

Performance

USTB vs. BBSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF (BBSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USTB achieves a 1.23% return, which is significantly higher than BBSB's 0.53% return.

USTB

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.23%
• 6M: 1.66%
• 1Y: 4.79%
• 3Y*: 6.14%
• 5Y*: 3.52%
• 10Y*: —

BBSB

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 0.53%
• 6M: 0.85%
• 1Y: 3.45%
• 3Y*: 4.16%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

USTB vs. BBSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF	1.23%	6.08%	6.49%	4.63%
BBSB JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF	0.53%	5.12%	4.00%	2.56%

Correlation

The correlation between USTB and BBSB is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2023	0.77

The correlation between USTB and BBSB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

USTB vs. BBSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

USTB

USTB Risk / Return Rank: 94
USTB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
USTB Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
USTB Omega Ratio Rank: 97
USTB Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
USTB Martin Ratio Rank: 92

BBSB

BBSB Risk / Return Rank: 84
BBSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
BBSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
BBSB Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BBSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
BBSB Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

USTB vs. BBSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF (BBSB). 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.

	USTB	BBSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.96	2.73	+1.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	6.76	4.66	+2.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.89	1.57	+0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.28	3.97	+1.32
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	24.05	16.41	+7.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USTB vs. BBSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USTB Sharpe Ratio is 3.96, which is higher than the BBSB Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USTB and BBSB, 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

	USTB	BBSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.96	2.73	+1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.76	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.73	2.36	-0.63

Drawdowns

USTB vs. BBSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USTB drawdown since its inception was -5.32%, which is greater than BBSB's maximum drawdown of -1.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USTB and BBSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	USTB	BBSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.32%	-1.57%	-3.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.84%	-0.86%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.02%	-0.96%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.20%	+0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.66%	-0.31%	-0.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.19%	0.21%	-0.02%

Volatility

USTB vs. BBSB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) is 0.34%, while JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF (BBSB) has a volatility of 0.37%. This indicates that USTB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BBSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USTB	BBSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.34%	0.37%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.84%	0.85%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26%	1.27%	-0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.01%	1.67%	+0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.01%	1.67%	+0.34%

USTB vs. BBSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

USTB has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than BBSB's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

USTB vs. BBSB - Dividend Comparison

USTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than BBSB's 3.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BBSB JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Treasury Bond 1-3 Year ETF	3.81%	3.69%	4.84%	3.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF	4.58%	4.62%	5.05%	4.49%	2.54%	1.84%	2.59%	2.69%	2.32%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USTB and BBSB in my portfolio?

USTB and BBSB have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USTB or BBSB?

BBSB has higher volatility (0.37%) compared to USTB (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USTB dropped -5.32% vs BBSB's -1.57%.

Which ETF is better, USTB or BBSB?

On 3-year performance, USTB leads with 6.14% vs 4.16% for BBSB. On fees, BBSB 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.

Which ETF has performed better, USTB or BBSB?

Over the 3-year period, USTB has performed better with a 6.14% return vs 4.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USTB or BBSB?

BBSB is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for USTB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USTB or BBSB?

USTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 3.81% for BBSB.

What is the main difference between USTB and BBSB?

USTB is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while BBSB is Government Bonds. USTB tracks Bloomberg 1–3 Year Credit Index, while BBSB tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Victory and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for USTB and 0.04% for BBSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.96 vs 2.73), 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.