VPLS vs. SYSB
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) and iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB).
VPLS and SYSB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VPLS is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 7, 2023. SYSB is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the BlackRock Universal Systematic Bond Index. It was launched on Feb 24, 2015.
Performance
VPLS vs. SYSB - Performance Comparison
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VPLS vs. SYSB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF | 0.02% | 7.86% | 2.72% | 2.82% |
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF | -0.11% | 8.32% | 6.04% | 2.05% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VPLS achieves a 0.02% return, which is significantly higher than SYSB's -0.11% return.
VPLS
- 1D
- 0.43%
- 1M
- -1.81%
- YTD
- 0.02%
- 6M
- 1.10%
- 1Y
- 4.90%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SYSB
- 1D
- 0.44%
- 1M
- -1.96%
- YTD
- -0.11%
- 6M
- 0.96%
- 1Y
- 6.43%
- 3Y*
- 6.53%
- 5Y*
- 1.67%
- 10Y*
- 2.49%
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VPLS vs. SYSB - Expense Ratio Comparison
VPLS has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than SYSB's 0.25% 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%.
Return for Risk
VPLS vs. SYSB — Risk / Return Rank
VPLS
SYSB
VPLS vs. SYSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) and iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB). 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.
| VPLS | SYSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.16 | 1.67 | -0.51 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.61 | 2.40 | -0.79 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.31 | -0.11 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.89 | 2.25 | -0.36 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.99 | 9.19 | -3.20 |
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
| VPLS | SYSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.16 | 1.67 | -0.51 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.30 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.51 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.25 | 0.50 | +0.75 |
Correlation
The correlation between VPLS and SYSB is 0.79, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VPLS vs. SYSB - Dividend Comparison
VPLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.77%, more than SYSB's 4.70% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF | 4.77% | 4.78% | 4.52% | 0.18% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SYSB iShares Systematic Bond ETF | 4.70% | 4.78% | 5.04% | 4.44% | 3.27% | 1.92% | 2.57% | 3.27% | 3.61% | 2.74% | 2.92% | 2.26% |
Drawdowns
VPLS vs. SYSB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VPLS drawdown since its inception was -4.17%, smaller than the maximum SYSB drawdown of -18.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPLS and SYSB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VPLS | SYSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -4.17% | -18.47% | +14.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.72% | -2.84% | +0.12% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -18.47% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.47% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.81% | -1.96% | +0.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.98% | -3.30% | +2.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.86% | 0.69% | +0.17% |
Volatility
VPLS vs. SYSB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) is 1.74%, while iShares Systematic Bond ETF (SYSB) has a volatility of 1.91%. This indicates that VPLS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SYSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VPLS | SYSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.74% | 1.91% | -0.17% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.51% | 2.96% | -0.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.26% | 3.87% | +0.39% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.67% | 5.59% | -0.92% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.67% | 4.93% | -0.26% |