VSAT vs. VUSB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VSAT (Viasat, Inc.) is a stock, while VUSB (Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF) is Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VSAT returned 5.90%/yr vs 3.44%/yr for VUSB. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VSAT vs. VUSB - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSAT achieves a 111.64% return, which is significantly higher than VUSB's 1.42% return.

VSAT

• 1D: 4.75%
• 1M: 11.22%
• YTD: 111.64%
• 6M: 107.54%
• 1Y: 720.36%
• 3Y*: 17.96%
• 5Y*: 5.90%
• 10Y*: -0.15%

VUSB

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 1.42%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 4.52%
• 3Y*: 5.36%
• 5Y*: 3.44%
• 10Y*: —

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

VSAT vs. VUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VSAT Viasat, Inc.	111.64%	304.94%	-69.55%	-11.69%	-28.94%	-9.16%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.42%	5.20%	5.68%	5.52%	-0.36%	0.00%

Correlation

The correlation between VSAT and VUSB is 0.09, 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	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2021	0.06

Return for Risk

VSAT vs. VUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSAT

VSAT Risk / Return Rank: 99
VSAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VSAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
VSAT Omega Ratio Rank: 97
VSAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
VSAT Martin Ratio Rank: 100

VUSB

VUSB Risk / Return Rank: 98
VUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
VUSB 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.

VSAT vs. VUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). 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.

	VSAT	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	8.81	7.04	+1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.54	12.99	-7.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	3.40	-1.70
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	30.58	12.26	+18.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	94.00	71.22	+22.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSAT vs. VUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSAT Sharpe Ratio is 8.81, which is comparable to the VUSB Sharpe Ratio of 7.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSAT and VUSB, 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

	VSAT	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.81	7.04	+1.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	4.15	-4.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.00	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	4.10	-3.93

Drawdowns

VSAT vs. VUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSAT drawdown since its inception was -92.75%, which is greater than VUSB's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSAT and VUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSAT	VUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.75%	-1.79%	-90.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.78%	-0.37%	-23.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-85.14%	-0.46%	-84.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-89.81%	-1.79%	-88.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-92.75%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.62%	0.00%	-22.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-41.52%	-0.27%	-41.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.72%	0.06%	+7.66%

Volatility

VSAT vs. VUSB - Volatility Comparison

Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) has a higher volatility of 23.77% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) at 0.17%. This indicates that VSAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSAT	VUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	23.77%	0.17%	+23.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	54.96%	0.52%	+54.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	82.56%	0.65%	+81.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	75.27%	0.83%	+74.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	60.69%	0.82%	+59.87%

Dividends

VSAT vs. VUSB - Dividend Comparison

VSAT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.39%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VSAT Viasat, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	4.39%	4.63%	5.16%	4.45%	1.56%	0.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSAT and VUSB in my portfolio?

VSAT and VUSB have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSAT or VUSB?

VSAT has higher volatility (23.77%) compared to VUSB (0.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSAT dropped -92.75% vs VUSB's -1.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.81 vs 7.04), 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.