VSHY vs. VUS

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VSHY (Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF) and VUS (Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VSHY is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus, while VUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Virtus. Both are actively managed. Their 0.55 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VSHY charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for VUS.

Performance

VSHY vs. VUS - 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 Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSHY achieves a 2.97% return, which is significantly lower than VUS's 20.13% return.

VSHY

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 0.40%
• 6M: 2.23%
• YTD: 2.97%
• 1Y: 6.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.15%

VUS

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 2.13%
• 6M: 12.27%
• YTD: 20.13%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VSHY Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF	$34.66K	$24.34K	$44.05K
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	$50.48K	$26.14K	$17.55K

VSHY vs. VUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VSHY Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF	2.97%	0.22%
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	20.13%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between VSHY and VUS is 0.55, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2025	0.55

Return for Risk

VSHY vs. VUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VSHY

VSHY Risk / Return Rank: 79
VSHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VSHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VSHY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VSHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VSHY Martin Ratio Rank: 85

VUS

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

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VSHY vs. VUS - 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 Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS). 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.

	VSHY	VUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.50	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.01	—	—

Drawdowns

VSHY vs. VUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSHY drawdown since its inception was -4.55%, smaller than the maximum VUS drawdown of -9.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSHY and VUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSHY	VUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.55%	-9.45%	+4.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.73%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.41%	+0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.40%	-1.48%	+1.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.47%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VSHY	VUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.70%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.82%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.44%	14.68%	-11.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.33%	14.68%	-10.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.33%	14.68%	-10.35%

VSHY vs. VUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSHY has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VUS's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSHY vs. VUS - Dividend Comparison

VSHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.24%, more than VUS's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
VSHY Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF	6.24%	6.14%	6.81%	1.36%
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	1.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSHY and VUS in my portfolio?

VSHY and VUS have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VSHY or VUS?

On fees, VUS is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSHY or VUS?

VUS is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for VSHY.

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

VSHY has the higher dividend yield at 6.24%, compared with 1.28% for VUS.

What is the main difference between VSHY and VUS?

VSHY is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while VUS is Large Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for VSHY and 0.25% for VUS.