USTB vs. BSV
USTB (VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF) and BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds - USTB tracks the Bloomberg 1–3 Year Credit Index while BSV tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USTB returned 3.52%/yr vs 1.66%/yr for BSV. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USTB charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BSV.
Performance
USTB vs. BSV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USTB achieves a 1.23% return, which is significantly higher than BSV's 0.37% return.
USTB
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.28%
- YTD
- 1.23%
- 6M
- 1.66%
- 1Y
- 4.79%
- 3Y*
- 6.14%
- 5Y*
- 3.52%
- 10Y*
- —
BSV
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- -0.02%
- YTD
- 0.37%
- 6M
- 0.67%
- 1Y
- 3.70%
- 3Y*
- 4.44%
- 5Y*
- 1.66%
- 10Y*
- 1.96%
USTB vs. BSV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USTB VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF | 1.23% | 6.08% | 6.49% | 6.69% | -2.82% | 0.90% | 5.12% | 5.10% | 1.08% | 0.35% |
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares | 0.37% | 6.00% | 3.78% | 4.90% | -5.49% | -1.09% | 4.70% | 4.98% | 1.34% | -0.20% |
Correlation
The correlation between USTB and BSV is 0.89, 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 | 0.89 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2017 | 0.70 |
The correlation between USTB and BSV shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (all time) to 0.89 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
USTB vs. BSV — Risk / Return Rank
USTB
BSV
USTB vs. BSV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV). 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 | BSV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 3.96 | 2.05 | +1.91 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 6.76 | 3.30 | +3.46 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.89 | 1.39 | +0.50 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.28 | 2.82 | +2.47 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 24.05 | 9.96 | +14.09 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| USTB | BSV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.96 | 2.05 | +1.91 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.76 | 0.61 | +1.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.83 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.73 | 0.86 | +0.88 |
Drawdowns
USTB vs. BSV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USTB drawdown since its inception was -5.32%, smaller than the maximum BSV drawdown of -8.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USTB and BSV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| USTB | BSV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.32% | -8.54% | +3.22% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.84% | -1.29% | +0.45% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.02% | -1.53% | +0.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -4.96% | -8.54% | +3.58% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -8.54% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.55% | +0.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.66% | -0.97% | +0.31% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.19% | 0.36% | -0.17% |
Volatility
USTB vs. BSV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) is 0.34%, while Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) has a volatility of 0.54%. This indicates that USTB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BSV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| USTB | BSV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.34% | 0.54% | -0.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.84% | 1.26% | -0.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.26% | 1.81% | -0.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.01% | 2.72% | -0.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.01% | 2.37% | -0.36% |
USTB vs. BSV - Expense Ratio Comparison
USTB has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than BSV's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
USTB vs. BSV - Dividend Comparison
USTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than BSV's 3.99% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares | 3.99% | 3.83% | 3.38% | 2.46% | 1.50% | 1.45% | 1.79% | 2.29% | 1.99% | 1.65% | 1.48% | 1.40% |
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% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
USTB and BSV have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BSV has higher volatility (0.54%) compared to USTB (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USTB dropped -5.32% vs BSV's -8.54%.
On 5-year performance, USTB leads with 3.52% vs 1.66% for BSV. On fees, BSV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, USTB has been the lower-risk option at 0.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, USTB has performed better with a 3.52% return vs 1.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BSV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for USTB.
USTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 3.99% for BSV.
USTB tracks Bloomberg 1–3 Year Credit Index, while BSV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. They also come from different issuers: Victory and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for USTB and 0.03% for BSV.
USTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.96 vs 2.05), 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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