VSDB vs. NEAR
VSDB (Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares) and NEAR (iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, VSDB returned 4.75% vs 3.79% for NEAR. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSDB charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for NEAR.
Performance
VSDB vs. NEAR - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSDB achieves a 0.95% return, which is significantly higher than NEAR's 0.63% return.
VSDB
- 1D
- -0.11%
- 1M
- 0.30%
- YTD
- 0.95%
- 6M
- 1.15%
- 1Y
- 4.75%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
NEAR
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- 0.11%
- YTD
- 0.63%
- 6M
- 0.83%
- 1Y
- 3.79%
- 3Y*
- 5.48%
- 5Y*
- 3.84%
- 10Y*
- 2.84%
VSDB vs. NEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares | 0.95% | 4.88% |
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 0.63% | 4.34% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSDB and NEAR is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2025 | 0.78 |
The correlation between VSDB and NEAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VSDB vs. NEAR — Risk / Return Rank
VSDB
NEAR
VSDB vs. NEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) and iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VSDB | NEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.56 | 1.56 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.35 | 3.36 | -0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.67 | 15.26 | -0.59 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VSDB vs. NEAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSDB drawdown since its inception was -1.42%, smaller than the maximum NEAR drawdown of -9.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSDB and NEAR.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VSDB | NEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -1.42% | -9.61% | +8.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.42% | -1.13% | -0.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -1.16% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -1.32% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -9.61% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.26% | -0.24% | -0.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.19% | -0.16% | -0.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.32% | 0.25% | +0.07% |
Volatility
VSDB vs. NEAR - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) has a higher volatility of 0.52% compared to iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) at 0.48%. This indicates that VSDB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NEAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VSDB | NEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.52% | 0.48% | +0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.39% | 1.06% | +0.33% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.75% | 1.39% | +0.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.90% | 1.35% | +0.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.90% | 2.50% | -0.60% |
VSDB vs. NEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSDB has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than NEAR'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%.
Dividends
VSDB vs. NEAR - Dividend Comparison
VSDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.16%, less than NEAR's 4.44% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 4.44% | 4.54% | 5.00% | 4.59% | 1.78% | 0.76% | 1.53% | 2.69% | 2.25% | 1.52% | 1.07% | 0.85% |
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% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VSDB and NEAR have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VSDB has higher volatility (0.52%) compared to NEAR (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSDB dropped -1.42% vs NEAR's -9.61%.
On 1-year performance, VSDB leads with 4.75% vs 3.79% for NEAR. On fees, VSDB is cheaper at 0.15% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, VSDB has performed better with a 4.75% return vs 3.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VSDB is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for NEAR.
NEAR has the higher dividend yield at 4.44%, compared with 4.16% for VSDB.
They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VSDB and 0.25% for NEAR.
NEAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 2.74), 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.
Find the right allocation for VSDB and NEAR
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer