VAMO vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VAMO (Cambria Value and Momentum ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VAMO is a Momentum fund actively managed by Cambria, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. VAMO is actively managed, while VGUS is passively managed. Over the past year, VAMO returned 19.73% vs 3.93% for VGUS. At a correlation of -0.07, they often move in opposite directions. VAMO charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

VAMO vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cambria Value and Momentum ETF (VAMO) 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, VAMO achieves a 3.96% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.46% return.

VAMO

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: -1.44%
• YTD: 3.96%
• 6M: 4.95%
• 1Y: 19.73%
• 3Y*: 14.58%
• 5Y*: 8.29%
• 10Y*: 5.68%

VGUS

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.46%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: 3.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VAMO vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VAMO Cambria Value and Momentum ETF	3.96%	14.80%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.46%	3.77%

Correlation

The correlation between VAMO and VGUS is -0.09, 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	-0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2025	-0.07

Return for Risk

VAMO vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VAMO

VAMO Risk / Return Rank: 58
VAMO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VAMO Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VAMO Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VAMO Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VAMO Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

VAMO vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cambria Value and Momentum ETF (VAMO) 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.

	VAMO	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	12.05	-10.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	34.92	-32.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	10.84	-9.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.57	54.18	-50.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.28	411.30	-401.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VAMO vs. VGUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAMO Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is lower than the VGUS Sharpe Ratio of 12.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAMO 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VAMO	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	12.05	-10.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	11.74	-11.49

Drawdowns

VAMO vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAMO drawdown since its inception was -41.84%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAMO and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAMO	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.84%	-0.07%	-41.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.55%	-0.07%	-5.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.25%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.84%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.00%	0.00%	-2.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.97%	-0.00%	-9.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	0.01%	+1.91%

Volatility

VAMO vs. VGUS - Volatility Comparison

Cambria Value and Momentum ETF (VAMO) has a higher volatility of 2.83% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) at 0.11%. This indicates that VAMO'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

	VAMO	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.83%	0.11%	+2.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.69%	0.18%	+7.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.21%	0.33%	+10.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.34%	0.34%	+17.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.09%	0.34%	+17.75%

VAMO vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAMO has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

VAMO vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

VAMO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.63%, less than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VAMO Cambria Value and Momentum ETF	0.63%	1.41%	0.84%	1.35%	1.10%	1.07%	1.03%	1.15%	1.03%	0.35%	0.56%	0.20%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VAMO and VGUS in my portfolio?

VAMO and VGUS have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VAMO or VGUS?

VAMO has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to VGUS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VAMO dropped -41.84% vs VGUS's -0.07%.

Which ETF is better, VAMO or VGUS?

On 1-year performance, VAMO leads with 19.73% vs 3.93% for VGUS. On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VGUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VAMO or VGUS?

Over the 1-year period, VAMO has performed better with a 19.73% return vs 3.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VAMO or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for VAMO.

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

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 0.63% for VAMO.

What is the main difference between VAMO and VGUS?

VAMO is categorized as Momentum, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Cambria and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for VAMO and 0.07% for VGUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.05 vs 1.77), 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.