VB vs. SGOV
VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) and SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index, while SGOV is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VB returned 6.83%/yr vs 3.55%/yr for SGOV. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. VB charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SGOV.
Performance
VB vs. SGOV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VB achieves a 14.53% return, which is significantly higher than SGOV's 1.59% return.
VB
- 1D
- 2.50%
- 1M
- 2.79%
- YTD
- 14.53%
- 6M
- 11.37%
- 1Y
- 27.63%
- 3Y*
- 16.36%
- 5Y*
- 6.83%
- 10Y*
- 11.49%
SGOV
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- 0.29%
- YTD
- 1.59%
- 6M
- 1.80%
- 1Y
- 3.94%
- 3Y*
- 4.70%
- 5Y*
- 3.55%
- 10Y*
- —
VB vs. SGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 14.53% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 35.93% |
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | 1.59% | 4.24% | 5.27% | 5.12% | 1.58% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between VB and SGOV is -0.08, 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 | -0.08 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 28, 2020 | -0.03 |
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Return for Risk
VB vs. SGOV — Risk / Return Rank
VB
SGOV
VB vs. SGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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.
| VB | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -18.56 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -272.59 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 195.05 | -193.76 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.09 | 397.15 | -394.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.33 | 4,450.29 | -4,438.95 |
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Drawdowns
VB vs. SGOV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VB drawdown since its inception was -59.56%, which is greater than SGOV's maximum drawdown of -0.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VB and SGOV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VB | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.56% | -0.03% | -59.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.98% | -0.01% | -8.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.36% | -0.01% | -25.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.15% | -0.03% | -28.12% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.05% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.37% | 0.00% | -0.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.43% | -0.00% | -8.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.45% | 0.00% | +2.45% |
Volatility
VB vs. SGOV - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a higher volatility of 5.40% compared to iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) at 0.05%. This indicates that VB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SGOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VB | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.40% | 0.05% | +5.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.32% | 0.13% | +12.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.67% | 0.20% | +16.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.80% | 0.24% | +20.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.45% | 0.24% | +21.21% |
VB vs. SGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison
VB has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SGOV's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VB vs. SGOV - Dividend Comparison
VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, less than SGOV's 3.85% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | 3.85% | 4.10% | 5.10% | 4.87% | 1.45% | 0.03% | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.19% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VB and SGOV have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VB has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to SGOV (0.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VB dropped -59.56% vs SGOV's -0.03%.
On 5-year performance, VB leads with 6.83% vs 3.55% for SGOV. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SGOV has been the lower-risk option at 0.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VB has performed better with a 6.83% return vs 3.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VB is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for SGOV.
SGOV has the higher dividend yield at 3.85%, compared with 1.19% for VB.
VB is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while SGOV is Ultrashort Bond. VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index, while SGOV tracks ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VB and 0.09% for SGOV.
SGOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (20.22 vs 1.67), 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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