VSHY vs. SPHY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSHY (Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF) and SPHY (SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. VSHY is actively managed, while SPHY is passively managed. Over the past year, VSHY returned 6.40% vs 7.16% for SPHY. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSHY charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPHY.

Performance

VSHY vs. SPHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (VSHY) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSHY achieves a 1.75% return, which is significantly higher than SPHY's 1.54% return.

VSHY

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.75%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: 6.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPHY

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.54%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 7.16%
• 3Y*: 8.97%
• 5Y*: 4.39%
• 10Y*: 5.15%

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

VSHY vs. SPHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VSHY Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF	1.75%	6.87%	8.03%	3.76%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	1.54%	8.59%	8.54%	3.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VSHY and SPHY is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2023	0.76

The correlation between VSHY and SPHY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSHY vs. SPHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSHY

VSHY Risk / Return Rank: 65
VSHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VSHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VSHY Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VSHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VSHY Martin Ratio Rank: 73

SPHY

SPHY Risk / Return Rank: 62
SPHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SPHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPHY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SPHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPHY Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

VSHY vs. SPHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (VSHY) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). 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.

	VSHY	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	1.96	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	2.98	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.39	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	2.98	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.84	13.52	+0.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSHY vs. SPHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSHY Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the SPHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSHY and SPHY, 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

	VSHY	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	1.96	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.88	0.64	+1.24

Drawdowns

VSHY vs. SPHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSHY drawdown since its inception was -4.55%, smaller than the maximum SPHY drawdown of -21.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSHY and SPHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSHY	SPHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.55%	-21.97%	+17.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.73%	-2.41%	+0.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-4.85%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.29%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.33%	-0.22%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.42%	-2.29%	+1.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.46%	0.53%	-0.07%

Volatility

VSHY vs. SPHY - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (VSHY) has a higher volatility of 1.32% compared to SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY) at 1.14%. This indicates that VSHY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSHY	SPHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.32%	1.14%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.65%	2.91%	-0.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.40%	3.68%	-0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.40%	7.17%	-2.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.40%	7.89%	-3.49%

VSHY vs. SPHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSHY has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SPHY's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSHY vs. SPHY - Dividend Comparison

VSHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.41%, less than SPHY's 7.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	7.27%	7.38%	7.80%	7.30%	6.47%	5.13%	5.63%	5.73%	4.09%	4.41%	4.27%	4.29%
VSHY Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF	6.41%	6.14%	6.81%	1.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSHY and SPHY in my portfolio?

VSHY and SPHY have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSHY or SPHY?

VSHY has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to SPHY (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSHY dropped -4.55% vs SPHY's -21.97%.

Which ETF is better, VSHY or SPHY?

On 1-year performance, SPHY leads with 7.16% vs 6.40% for VSHY. On fees, SPHY is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SPHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VSHY or SPHY?

Over the 1-year period, SPHY has performed better with a 7.16% return vs 6.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSHY or SPHY?

SPHY is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for VSHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VSHY or SPHY?

SPHY has the higher dividend yield at 7.27%, compared with 6.41% for VSHY.

What is the main difference between VSHY and SPHY?

They also come from different issuers: Virtus and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for VSHY and 0.05% for SPHY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.89), 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.