VSDB vs. JPST

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VSDB (Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares) and JPST (JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VSDB is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard, while JPST is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by JPMorgan. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, VSDB returned 5.27% vs 4.31% for JPST. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSDB charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for JPST.

Performance

VSDB vs. JPST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) and JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSDB achieves a 0.98% return, which is significantly lower than JPST's 1.40% return.

VSDB

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.98%
• 6M: 1.42%
• 1Y: 5.27%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

JPST

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.40%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 5.16%
• 5Y*: 3.61%
• 10Y*: —

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

VSDB vs. JPST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	0.98%	4.85%
JPST JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF	1.40%	3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between VSDB and JPST is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2025	0.60

The correlation between VSDB and JPST has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSDB vs. JPST — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSDB

VSDB Risk / Return Rank: 86
VSDB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
VSDB Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VSDB Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VSDB Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VSDB Martin Ratio Rank: 82

JPST

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

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.

VSDB vs. JPST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) and JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST). 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.

	VSDB	JPST	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.03	8.09	-5.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.79	17.60	-12.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	3.94	-2.31
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.74	29.35	-25.61
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.50	145.52	-129.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSDB vs. JPST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSDB Sharpe Ratio is 3.03, which is lower than the JPST Sharpe Ratio of 8.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSDB and JPST, 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

	VSDB	JPST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.03	8.09	-5.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	6.30	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.67	3.20	-0.53

Drawdowns

VSDB vs. JPST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSDB drawdown since its inception was -1.42%, smaller than the maximum JPST drawdown of -3.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSDB and JPST.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSDB	JPST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.42%	-3.28%	+1.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.42%	-0.15%	-1.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.30%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-0.02%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.19%	-0.08%	-0.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.32%	0.03%	+0.29%

Volatility

VSDB vs. JPST - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) has a higher volatility of 0.56% compared to JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST) at 0.16%. This indicates that VSDB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JPST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSDB	JPST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.56%	0.16%	+0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.36%	0.35%	+1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74%	0.54%	+1.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.90%	0.58%	+1.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.90%	0.93%	+0.97%

VSDB vs. JPST - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSDB has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than JPST's 0.18% 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

VSDB vs. JPST - Dividend Comparison

VSDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.16%, less than JPST's 4.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JPST JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF	4.26%	4.43%	5.16%	4.79%	1.83%	0.73%	1.43%	2.69%	2.07%	0.96%
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	4.16%	3.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSDB and JPST in my portfolio?

VSDB and JPST have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSDB or JPST?

VSDB has higher volatility (0.56%) compared to JPST (0.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSDB dropped -1.42% vs JPST's -3.28%.

Which ETF is better, VSDB or JPST?

On 1-year performance, VSDB leads with 5.27% vs 4.31% for JPST. On fees, VSDB is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, JPST has been the lower-risk option at 0.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VSDB or JPST?

Over the 1-year period, VSDB has performed better with a 5.27% return vs 4.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSDB or JPST?

VSDB is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for JPST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VSDB or JPST?

JPST has the higher dividend yield at 4.26%, compared with 4.16% for VSDB.

What is the main difference between VSDB and JPST?

VSDB is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while JPST is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VSDB and 0.18% for JPST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JPST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.09 vs 3.03), 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.