VFMV vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. VFMV is actively managed, while VGUS is passively managed. Over the past year, VFMV returned 13.49% vs 3.93% for VGUS. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. VFMV charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

VFMV vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) 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, VFMV achieves a 8.76% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.46% return.

VFMV

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.41%
• 1Y: 13.49%
• 3Y*: 15.06%
• 5Y*: 9.87%
• 10Y*: —

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)

VFMV vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	8.76%	5.42%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.46%	3.77%

Correlation

The correlation between VFMV and VGUS is -0.01, 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	-0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2025	-0.05

Return for Risk

VFMV vs. VGUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 47
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

VFMV vs. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) 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.

	VFMV	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	12.05	-10.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	34.92	-32.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	10.84	-9.57
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	54.18	-51.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.85	411.30	-402.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFMV vs. VGUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is lower than the VGUS Sharpe Ratio of 12.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFMV 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

	VFMV	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.54	12.05	-10.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	11.74	-11.04

Drawdowns

VFMV vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFMV drawdown since its inception was -33.64%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFMV and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFMV	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.64%	-0.07%	-33.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.00%	-0.07%	-5.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.35%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.41%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	0.00%	-0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-0.00%	-3.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	0.01%	+1.52%

Volatility

VFMV vs. VGUS - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) has a higher volatility of 2.04% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) at 0.11%. This indicates that VFMV'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

	VFMV	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.04%	0.11%	+1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.30%	0.18%	+6.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.80%	0.33%	+8.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.75%	0.34%	+11.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.25%	0.34%	+13.91%

VFMV vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFMV has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFMV vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

VFMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.93%, less than VGUS's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.93%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.61%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFMV and VGUS in my portfolio?

VFMV and VGUS have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFMV or VGUS?

VFMV has higher volatility (2.04%) compared to VGUS (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFMV dropped -33.64% vs VGUS's -0.07%.

Which ETF is better, VFMV or VGUS?

On 1-year performance, VFMV leads with 13.49% 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, VFMV or VGUS?

Over the 1-year period, VFMV has performed better with a 13.49% return vs 3.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFMV or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for VFMV.

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

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 1.93% for VFMV.

What is the main difference between VFMV and VGUS?

VFMV is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VFMV and 0.07% for VGUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.05 vs 1.54), 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.