VNLA vs. JAAA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VNLA (Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF) and JAAA (Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VNLA is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the FTSE 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, while JAAA is a CLO fund actively managed by Janus Henderson. VNLA is passively managed, while JAAA is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VNLA returned 3.79%/yr vs 4.79%/yr for JAAA. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VNLA charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for JAAA.

Performance

VNLA vs. JAAA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF (VNLA) and Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF (JAAA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VNLA achieves a 1.43% return, which is significantly lower than JAAA's 1.87% return.

VNLA

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.43%
• 6M: 1.85%
• 1Y: 4.75%
• 3Y*: 5.76%
• 5Y*: 3.79%
• 10Y*: —

JAAA

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 1.87%
• 6M: 2.45%
• 1Y: 5.06%
• 3Y*: 6.71%
• 5Y*: 4.79%
• 10Y*: —

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

VNLA vs. JAAA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VNLA Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF	1.43%	5.45%	6.41%	6.09%	-0.17%	-0.18%	0.21%
JAAA Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF	1.87%	5.16%	7.43%	8.59%	0.49%	1.39%	0.79%

Correlation

The correlation between VNLA and JAAA is 0.07, 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	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2020	0.14

Return for Risk

VNLA vs. JAAA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VNLA

VNLA Risk / Return Rank: 98
VNLA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VNLA Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VNLA Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VNLA Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
VNLA Martin Ratio Rank: 98

JAAA

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

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.

VNLA vs. JAAA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF (VNLA) and Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF (JAAA). 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.

	VNLA	JAAA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	7.55	5.98	+1.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	15.48	10.04	+5.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.58	2.69	+0.89
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.15	13.07	-1.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	57.27	70.18	-12.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VNLA vs. JAAA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VNLA Sharpe Ratio is 7.55, which is comparable to the JAAA Sharpe Ratio of 5.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VNLA and JAAA, 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

	VNLA	JAAA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.55	5.98	+1.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	3.66	2.87	+0.80
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.10	2.77	-0.68

Drawdowns

VNLA vs. JAAA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VNLA drawdown since its inception was -4.49%, which is greater than JAAA's maximum drawdown of -2.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNLA and JAAA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VNLA	JAAA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.49%	-2.64%	-1.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.43%	-0.39%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.49%	-1.46%	+0.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.76%	-2.64%	+0.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-0.02%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.23%	-0.25%	+0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.08%	0.07%	+0.01%

Volatility

VNLA vs. JAAA - Volatility Comparison

Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF (VNLA) has a higher volatility of 0.18% compared to Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF (JAAA) at 0.13%. This indicates that VNLA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JAAA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VNLA	JAAA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.18%	0.13%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.46%	0.64%	-0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63%	0.85%	-0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.04%	1.68%	-0.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.42%	1.64%	-0.22%

VNLA vs. JAAA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VNLA has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than JAAA's 0.20% 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

VNLA vs. JAAA - Dividend Comparison

VNLA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.78%, less than JAAA's 5.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
JAAA Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF	5.00%	5.30%	6.35%	6.11%	2.74%	1.21%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VNLA Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF	4.78%	4.84%	4.97%	3.95%	4.35%	1.67%	1.21%	3.13%	2.43%	1.79%	0.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VNLA and JAAA in my portfolio?

VNLA and JAAA have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VNLA or JAAA?

VNLA has higher volatility (0.18%) compared to JAAA (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNLA dropped -4.49% vs JAAA's -2.64%.

Which ETF is better, VNLA or JAAA?

On 5-year performance, JAAA leads with 4.79% vs 3.79% for VNLA. On fees, JAAA is cheaper at 0.20% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VNLA or JAAA?

Over the 5-year period, JAAA has performed better with a 4.79% return vs 3.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VNLA or JAAA?

JAAA is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for VNLA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VNLA or JAAA?

JAAA has the higher dividend yield at 5.00%, compared with 4.78% for VNLA.

What is the main difference between VNLA and JAAA?

VNLA is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while JAAA is CLO. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for VNLA and 0.20% for JAAA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VNLA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.55 vs 5.98), 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.