VGSH vs. VEA
VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGSH is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGSH returned 1.74%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for VEA. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VGSH vs. VEA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGSH achieves a 0.48% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.92% return. Over the past 10 years, VGSH has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 1.74%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.17% annualized return.
VGSH
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.08%
- YTD
- 0.48%
- 6M
- 0.74%
- 1Y
- 3.43%
- 3Y*
- 4.15%
- 5Y*
- 1.81%
- 10Y*
- 1.74%
VEA
- 1D
- -0.90%
- 1M
- 5.54%
- YTD
- 14.92%
- 6M
- 18.15%
- 1Y
- 32.48%
- 3Y*
- 19.77%
- 5Y*
- 9.60%
- 10Y*
- 10.17%
VGSH vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 0.48% | 5.07% | 4.00% | 4.31% | -3.86% | -0.60% | 3.04% | 3.52% | 1.55% | 0.04% |
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 14.92% | 35.16% | 3.15% | 17.93% | -15.34% | 11.66% | 9.71% | 22.62% | -14.75% | 26.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGSH and VEA is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.00 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | -0.06 |
The correlation between VGSH and VEA shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (all time) to 0.30 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VGSH vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank
VGSH
VEA
VGSH vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.
| VGSH | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.59 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.56 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.57 | 1.38 | +0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.90 | 2.81 | +1.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.52 | 10.94 | +4.57 |
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
| VGSH | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.68 | 2.09 | +0.59 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.93 | 0.58 | +0.34 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 1.11 | 0.59 | +0.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.01 | 0.25 | +0.77 |
Drawdowns
VGSH vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGSH drawdown since its inception was -5.70%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGSH and VEA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGSH | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.70% | -60.68% | +54.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.88% | -11.63% | +10.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.97% | -13.45% | +12.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -5.66% | -29.71% | +24.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -5.70% | -35.73% | +30.03% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.29% | -0.90% | +0.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.60% | -13.29% | +12.69% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.22% | 2.98% | -2.76% |
Volatility
VGSH vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) is 0.35%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that VGSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGSH | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.35% | 5.66% | -5.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.88% | 13.32% | -12.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.29% | 15.66% | -14.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.97% | 16.55% | -14.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.57% | 17.36% | -15.79% |
VGSH vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VGSH and VEA have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VGSH vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison
VGSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, more than VEA's 2.62% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 2.62% | 3.22% | 3.35% | 3.15% | 2.91% | 3.16% | 2.04% | 3.04% | 3.35% | 2.77% | 3.05% | 2.92% |
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 3.87% | 4.00% | 4.18% | 3.31% | 1.15% | 0.66% | 1.74% | 2.28% | 1.79% | 1.10% | 0.84% | 0.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGSH and VEA have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VEA has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to VGSH (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGSH dropped -5.70% vs VEA's -60.68%.
On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.17% vs 1.74% for VGSH. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VGSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.17% return vs 1.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGSH and VEA have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VGSH has the higher dividend yield at 3.87%, compared with 2.62% for VEA.
VGSH is categorized as Government Bonds, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. VGSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index.
VGSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 2.09), 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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