VCSH vs. OVT
VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and OVT (Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds. VCSH is passively managed, while OVT is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VCSH returned 2.32%/yr vs 3.01%/yr for OVT. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCSH charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for OVT.
Performance
VCSH vs. OVT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCSH achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly lower than OVT's 2.61% return.
VCSH
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- 0.20%
- YTD
- 0.64%
- 6M
- 0.95%
- 1Y
- 4.59%
- 3Y*
- 5.52%
- 5Y*
- 2.32%
- 10Y*
- 2.70%
OVT
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 2.61%
- 6M
- 3.07%
- 1Y
- 8.92%
- 3Y*
- 7.44%
- 5Y*
- 3.01%
- 10Y*
- —
VCSH vs. OVT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.64% | 6.77% | 4.91% | 6.20% | -5.62% | -0.46% |
OVT Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF | 2.61% | 7.61% | 7.44% | 7.73% | -9.68% | 2.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCSH and OVT is 0.67, 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 | 0.67 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 19, 2021 | 0.67 |
The correlation between VCSH and OVT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VCSH vs. OVT — Risk / Return Rank
VCSH
OVT
VCSH vs. OVT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) and Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF (OVT). 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.
| VCSH | OVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.51 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.29 | 5.78 | -2.49 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.55 | 20.00 | -6.45 |
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
| VCSH | OVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.45 | 2.60 | -0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.81 | 0.65 | +0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.81 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.02 | 0.69 | +0.33 |
Drawdowns
VCSH vs. OVT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCSH drawdown since its inception was -12.86%, smaller than the maximum OVT drawdown of -13.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSH and OVT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCSH | OVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -12.86% | -13.59% | +0.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.40% | -1.55% | +0.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.40% | -3.55% | +2.15% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.48% | -13.59% | +4.11% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -12.86% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.32% | -0.41% | +0.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.97% | -3.39% | +2.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.34% | 0.45% | -0.11% |
Volatility
VCSH vs. OVT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is 0.57%, while Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF (OVT) has a volatility of 0.83%. This indicates that VCSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than OVT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCSH | OVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.57% | 0.83% | -0.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.38% | 2.52% | -1.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.88% | 3.44% | -1.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.88% | 4.63% | -1.75% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.35% | 4.54% | -1.19% |
VCSH vs. OVT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCSH has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than OVT's 0.80% expense ratio.
Dividends
VCSH vs. OVT - Dividend Comparison
VCSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, less than OVT's 8.17% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OVT Overlay Shares Short Term Bond ETF | 8.17% | 7.21% | 6.15% | 5.11% | 4.12% | 4.41% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.45% | 4.35% | 3.96% | 3.09% | 2.01% | 1.81% | 2.27% | 2.87% | 2.65% | 2.26% | 2.10% | 2.08% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VCSH and OVT have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
OVT has higher volatility (0.83%) compared to VCSH (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCSH dropped -12.86% vs OVT's -13.59%.
On 5-year performance, OVT leads with 3.01% vs 2.32% for VCSH. On fees, VCSH is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VCSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, OVT has performed better with a 3.01% return vs 2.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCSH is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for OVT.
OVT has the higher dividend yield at 8.17%, compared with 4.45% for VCSH.
They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Liquid Strategies. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VCSH and 0.80% for OVT.
OVT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 2.45), 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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