USTB vs. NEAR
USTB (VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF) and NEAR (iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds. USTB is passively managed, while NEAR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, USTB returned 3.52%/yr vs 3.86%/yr for NEAR. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USTB charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for NEAR.
Performance
USTB vs. NEAR - 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 NEAR's 0.73% return.
USTB
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.28%
- YTD
- 1.23%
- 6M
- 1.66%
- 1Y
- 4.79%
- 3Y*
- 6.14%
- 5Y*
- 3.52%
- 10Y*
- —
NEAR
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- 0.17%
- YTD
- 0.73%
- 6M
- 1.19%
- 1Y
- 4.27%
- 3Y*
- 5.64%
- 5Y*
- 3.86%
- 10Y*
- 2.85%
USTB vs. NEAR - 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% |
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 0.73% | 5.90% | 5.09% | 7.42% | 0.41% | 0.32% | 1.39% | 3.55% | 1.71% | 0.11% |
Correlation
The correlation between USTB and NEAR is 0.80, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2017 | 0.46 |
Over the past year, USTB and NEAR have become more correlated (0.80) than their long-term average of 0.46, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
USTB vs. NEAR — Risk / Return Rank
USTB
NEAR
USTB vs. NEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) and iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR). 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 | NEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 3.96 | 3.15 | +0.81 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 6.76 | 5.02 | +1.74 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.89 | 1.65 | +0.24 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.28 | 3.78 | +1.50 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 24.05 | 17.38 | +6.67 |
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 | NEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.96 | 3.15 | +0.81 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.76 | 2.90 | -1.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 1.15 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.73 | 1.09 | +0.65 |
Drawdowns
USTB vs. NEAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USTB drawdown since its inception was -5.32%, smaller than the maximum NEAR drawdown of -9.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USTB and NEAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| USTB | NEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.32% | -9.61% | +4.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.84% | -1.13% | +0.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.02% | -1.16% | +0.14% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -4.96% | -1.32% | -3.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -9.61% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.09% | +0.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.66% | -0.16% | -0.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.19% | 0.25% | -0.06% |
Volatility
USTB vs. NEAR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VictoryShares Short-Term Bond ETF (USTB) is 0.34%, while iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) has a volatility of 0.37%. This indicates that USTB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NEAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| USTB | NEAR | 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% | 1.00% | -0.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.26% | 1.36% | -0.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.01% | 1.34% | +0.67% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.01% | 2.50% | -0.49% |
USTB vs. NEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
USTB has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than NEAR's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
USTB vs. NEAR - Dividend Comparison
USTB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than NEAR's 4.44% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 4.44% | 4.54% | 5.00% | 4.59% | 1.78% | 0.76% | 1.53% | 2.69% | 2.25% | 1.52% | 1.07% | 0.85% |
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 NEAR have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NEAR has higher volatility (0.37%) compared to USTB (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USTB dropped -5.32% vs NEAR's -9.61%.
On 5-year performance, NEAR leads with 3.86% vs 3.52% for USTB. On fees, NEAR is cheaper at 0.25% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, NEAR has performed better with a 3.86% return vs 3.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NEAR is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for USTB.
USTB has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 4.44% for NEAR.
They also come from different issuers: Victory and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for USTB and 0.25% for NEAR.
USTB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.96 vs 3.15), 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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