VPL vs. SHY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) and SHY (iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while SHY is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE US Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VPL returned 10.84%/yr vs 1.65%/yr for SHY. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. VPL charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for SHY.

Performance

VPL vs. SHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) and iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF (SHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPL achieves a 30.29% return, which is significantly higher than SHY's 0.43% return. Over the past 10 years, VPL has outperformed SHY with an annualized return of 10.84%, while SHY has yielded a comparatively lower 1.65% annualized return.

VPL

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 10.45%
• YTD: 30.29%
• 6M: 33.07%
• 1Y: 53.61%
• 3Y*: 23.02%
• 5Y*: 10.36%
• 10Y*: 10.84%

SHY

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 3.32%
• 3Y*: 4.03%
• 5Y*: 1.71%
• 10Y*: 1.65%

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

VPL vs. SHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	30.29%	32.66%	1.68%	15.58%	-15.20%	1.10%	16.65%	18.16%	-14.40%	28.85%
SHY iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF	0.43%	4.95%	3.92%	4.16%	-3.88%	-0.71%	3.03%	3.38%	1.46%	0.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VPL and SHY is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2005	-0.08

The correlation between VPL and SHY shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (all time) to 0.27 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VPL vs. SHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 80
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 80

SHY

SHY Risk / Return Rank: 79
SHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SHY Omega Ratio Rank: 82
SHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SHY Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

VPL vs. SHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) and iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF (SHY). 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.

	VPL	SHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.76	2.49	+0.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.60	4.10	-0.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.51	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.04	3.75	+0.29
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.95	15.21	+0.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VPL vs. SHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPL Sharpe Ratio is 2.76, which is comparable to the SHY Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPL and SHY, 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

	VPL	SHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.76	2.49	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.87	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	1.06	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	1.28	-0.94

Drawdowns

VPL vs. SHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPL drawdown since its inception was -55.49%, which is greater than SHY's maximum drawdown of -5.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPL and SHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPL	SHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.49%	-5.71%	-49.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.33%	-0.89%	-12.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.35%	-0.97%	-15.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.09%	-5.71%	-25.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.90%	-5.71%	-28.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-0.31%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.63%	-0.52%	-11.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	0.22%	+3.15%

Volatility

VPL vs. SHY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a higher volatility of 7.32% compared to iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF (SHY) at 0.35%. This indicates that VPL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPL	SHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.32%	0.35%	+6.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.71%	0.92%	+15.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.55%	1.34%	+18.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.29%	1.98%	+15.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	1.57%	+15.72%

VPL vs. SHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than SHY's 0.15% 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

VPL vs. SHY - Dividend Comparison

VPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, less than SHY's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SHY iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF	3.68%	3.81%	3.92%	2.99%	1.30%	0.26%	0.94%	2.12%	1.72%	0.98%	0.71%	0.54%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.73%	4.01%	3.15%	3.12%	2.75%	3.19%	1.81%	2.84%	3.06%	2.57%	2.65%	2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VPL and SHY in my portfolio?

VPL and SHY have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPL or SHY?

VPL has higher volatility (7.32%) compared to SHY (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPL dropped -55.49% vs SHY's -5.71%.

Which ETF is better, VPL or SHY?

On 10-year performance, VPL leads with 10.84% vs 1.65% for SHY. On fees, VPL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, SHY has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VPL or SHY?

Over the 10-year period, VPL has performed better with a 10.84% return vs 1.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VPL or SHY?

VPL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for SHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VPL or SHY?

SHY has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 2.73% for VPL.

What is the main difference between VPL and SHY?

VPL is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while SHY is Government Bonds. VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while SHY tracks ICE US Treasury 1-3 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VPL and 0.15% for SHY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 2.49), 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.