VGUS vs. TUSB

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) and TUSB (Thrivent Ultra Short Bond ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. VGUS is passively managed, while TUSB is actively managed. Over the past year, VGUS returned 3.76% vs 4.55% for TUSB. Their 0.14 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VGUS charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for TUSB.

Performance

VGUS vs. TUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) and Thrivent Ultra Short Bond ETF (TUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGUS achieves a 2.02% return, which is significantly lower than TUSB's 2.58% return.

VGUS

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 1.73%
• YTD: 2.02%
• 1Y: 3.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.98%

TUSB

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.47%
• 6M: 2.07%
• YTD: 2.58%
• 1Y: 4.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.76%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
TUSB Thrivent Ultra Short Bond ETF	$669.76K	$810.48K	$941.31K
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	$5.97M	$8.43M	$10.65M

VGUS vs. TUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	2.02%	3.66%
TUSB Thrivent Ultra Short Bond ETF	2.58%	4.25%

Correlation

The correlation between VGUS and TUSB is 0.15, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 19, 2025	0.14

Return for Risk

VGUS vs. TUSB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

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

TUSB

TUSB Risk / Return Rank: 99
TUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
TUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
TUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 98
TUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
TUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 99

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VGUS vs. TUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) and Thrivent Ultra Short Bond ETF (TUSB). 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.

	VGUS	TUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	12.33	4.80	+7.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	38.00	8.41	+29.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	11.72	2.15	+9.57
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	53.97	18.79	+35.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	428.50	74.19	+354.31

VGUS vs. TUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGUS Sharpe Ratio is 12.33, which is higher than the TUSB Sharpe Ratio of 4.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGUS and TUSB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VGUS vs. TUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGUS drawdown since its inception was -0.07%, smaller than the maximum TUSB drawdown of -0.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGUS and TUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGUS	TUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.07%	-0.51%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.07%	-0.25%	+0.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-0.06%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.01%	0.06%	-0.05%

Volatility

VGUS vs. TUSB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) is 0.06%, while Thrivent Ultra Short Bond ETF (TUSB) has a volatility of 0.26%. This indicates that VGUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGUS	TUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.06%	0.26%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.18%	0.72%	-0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32%	0.97%	-0.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.33%	1.23%	-0.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.33%	1.23%	-0.90%

VGUS vs. TUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGUS has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than TUSB's 0.20% 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

VGUS vs. TUSB - Dividend Comparison

VGUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.60%, less than TUSB's 4.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
TUSB Thrivent Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.26%	3.62%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.28%	3.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGUS and TUSB in my portfolio?

VGUS and TUSB have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGUS or TUSB?

TUSB has higher volatility (0.26%) compared to VGUS (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGUS dropped -0.07% vs TUSB's -0.51%.

Which ETF is better, VGUS or TUSB?

On 1-year performance, TUSB leads with 4.55% vs 3.76% for VGUS. On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VGUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VGUS or TUSB?

Over the 1-year period, TUSB has performed better with a 4.55% return vs 3.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGUS or TUSB?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for TUSB.

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

TUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.26%, compared with 3.28% for VGUS.

What is the main difference between VGUS and TUSB?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Thrivent. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VGUS and 0.20% for TUSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.33 vs 4.80), 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.