VSS vs. EBND
VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) and EBND (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets Local Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VSS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index, while EBND is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Emerging Market Local Currency Government Diversified. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VSS returned 8.49%/yr vs 1.82%/yr for EBND. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSS charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for EBND.
Performance
VSS vs. EBND - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSS achieves a 10.04% return, which is significantly higher than EBND's 0.44% return. Over the past 10 years, VSS has outperformed EBND with an annualized return of 8.49%, while EBND has yielded a comparatively lower 1.82% annualized return.
VSS
- 1D
- 0.50%
- 1M
- 0.08%
- YTD
- 10.04%
- 6M
- 12.05%
- 1Y
- 24.95%
- 3Y*
- 15.73%
- 5Y*
- 5.58%
- 10Y*
- 8.49%
EBND
- 1D
- 0.34%
- 1M
- 1.76%
- YTD
- 0.44%
- 6M
- 1.64%
- 1Y
- 6.09%
- 3Y*
- 5.36%
- 5Y*
- 0.21%
- 10Y*
- 1.82%
VSS vs. EBND - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF | 10.04% | 29.61% | 2.94% | 15.52% | -21.48% | 13.05% | 11.81% | 21.36% | -18.48% | 30.61% |
EBND SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets Local Bond ETF | 0.44% | 15.83% | -2.70% | 9.02% | -11.84% | -9.66% | 4.49% | 10.40% | -6.52% | 13.93% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSS and EBND is 0.78, 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 | 0.78 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2011 | 0.63 |
The correlation between VSS and EBND shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (all time) to 0.78 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VSS vs. EBND — Risk / Return Rank
VSS
EBND
VSS vs. EBND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) and SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets Local Bond ETF (EBND). 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.
| VSS | EBND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.74 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.99 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.15 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.03 | 0.82 | +1.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.61 | 2.63 | +4.98 |
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Drawdowns
VSS vs. EBND - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSS drawdown since its inception was -43.51%, which is greater than EBND's maximum drawdown of -29.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSS and EBND.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSS | EBND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.51% | -29.51% | -14.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.62% | -6.63% | -4.99% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.73% | -9.25% | -6.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.93% | -26.18% | -7.75% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.51% | -29.50% | -14.01% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.05% | -2.59% | -0.46% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.63% | -10.85% | +1.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.09% | 2.07% | +1.02% |
Volatility
VSS vs. EBND - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) has a higher volatility of 6.52% compared to SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets Local Bond ETF (EBND) at 2.61%. This indicates that VSS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EBND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSS | EBND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.52% | 2.61% | +3.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.55% | 6.19% | +7.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.60% | 7.11% | +8.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.59% | 9.00% | +7.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.30% | 9.19% | +8.11% |
VSS vs. EBND - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSS has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than EBND's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
VSS vs. EBND - Dividend Comparison
VSS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.08%, less than EBND's 5.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EBND SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets Local Bond ETF | 5.79% | 5.54% | 5.89% | 5.26% | 4.75% | 3.83% | 3.67% | 4.68% | 4.70% | 2.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF | 3.08% | 3.39% | 3.44% | 3.14% | 2.30% | 2.74% | 1.90% | 3.25% | 2.80% | 2.83% | 2.93% | 2.66% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VSS and EBND have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VSS has higher volatility (6.52%) compared to EBND (2.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSS dropped -43.51% vs EBND's -29.51%.
On 10-year performance, VSS leads with 8.49% vs 1.82% for EBND. On fees, VSS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, EBND has been the lower-risk option at 2.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VSS has performed better with a 8.49% return vs 1.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VSS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for EBND.
EBND has the higher dividend yield at 5.79%, compared with 3.08% for VSS.
VSS is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while EBND is Emerging Markets Bonds. VSS tracks FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index, while EBND tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Local Currency Government Diversified. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VSS and 0.30% for EBND.
VSS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 0.77), 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.
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