PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VSDB vs. SPTS
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

VSDB vs. SPTS

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS).

VSDB and SPTS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VSDB is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Apr 1, 2025. SPTS is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. It was launched on Nov 30, 2011.

Performance

VSDB vs. SPTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

VSDB vs. SPTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025
VSDB
Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares		0.21%4.85%
SPTS
SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF		0.29%3.17%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSDB achieves a 0.21% return, which is significantly lower than SPTS's 0.29% return.

VSDB

1D
0.28%
1M
-0.89%
YTD
0.21%
6M
1.62%
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

SPTS

1D
0.07%
1M
-0.43%
YTD
0.29%
6M
1.46%
1Y
3.83%
3Y*
4.05%
5Y*
1.81%
10Y*
1.67%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares

SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF

Often compared with VSDB:
VSDB vs. BNDVSDB vs. VBILVSDB vs. SPSBVSDB vs. VTSAXVSDB vs. HYEMVSDB vs. IGIBVSDB vs. BBBS
Often compared with SPTS:
SPTS vs. SGOVSPTS vs. BILSPTS vs. SCHOSPTS vs. SHYSPTS vs. VGSHSPTS vs. SPTISPTS vs. BSV

VSDB vs. SPTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSDB has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTS's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

VSDB
Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares
SPTS
SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF

Return for Risk

VSDB vs. SPTS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VSDB
SPTS
SPTS Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
SPTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9696
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SPTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 9898
Sortino Ratio Rank
SPTS Omega Ratio Rank: 9797
Omega Ratio Rank
SPTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
SPTS Martin Ratio Rank: 9696
Martin Ratio Rank
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. SPTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

VSDB vs. SPTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

VSDBSPTSDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

—

2.58

—

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

0.92

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.97

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

2.70

0.49

+2.21

Correlation

The correlation between VSDB and SPTS is 0.74, 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

VSDB vs. SPTS - Dividend Comparison

VSDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.82%, less than SPTS's 3.97% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VSDB
Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares		3.82%3.30%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
SPTS
SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF		3.97%3.99%4.25%3.61%1.27%0.19%0.70%2.21%2.04%1.20%0.95%0.83%

Drawdowns

VSDB vs. SPTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSDB drawdown since its inception was -1.42%, smaller than the maximum SPTS drawdown of -5.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSDB and SPTS.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

VSDBSPTSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-1.42%

-5.83%

+4.41%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

—

-0.84%

—

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-5.71%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-5.71%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.89%

-0.43%

-0.46%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.17%

-1.74%

+1.57%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

—

0.22%

—

Volatility

VSDB vs. SPTS - Volatility Comparison

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

VSDBSPTSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

—

0.50%

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

—

0.88%

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.91%

1.49%

+0.42%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

1.91%

1.98%

-0.07%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

1.91%

1.73%

+0.18%