VT vs. TBUX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and TBUX (T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while TBUX is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price. VT is passively managed, while TBUX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VT returned 19.71%/yr vs 5.89%/yr for TBUX. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for TBUX.

Performance

VT vs. TBUX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VT achieves a 11.06% return, which is significantly higher than TBUX's 1.83% return.

VT

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 11.06%
• 6M: 11.82%
• 1Y: 27.43%
• 3Y*: 19.71%
• 5Y*: 10.65%
• 10Y*: 12.93%

TBUX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 1.83%
• 6M: 2.14%
• 1Y: 4.79%
• 3Y*: 5.89%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VT vs. TBUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	11.06%	22.43%	16.49%	22.02%	-18.00%	5.44%
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	1.83%	5.37%	6.38%	6.39%	-0.13%	-0.25%

Correlation

The correlation between VT and TBUX is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2021	0.14

Return for Risk

VT vs. TBUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 68
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 72

TBUX

TBUX Risk / Return Rank: 99
TBUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

VT vs. TBUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX). 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.

	VT	TBUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	7.19	-5.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	14.51	-11.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	3.12	-1.77
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	48.17	-45.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.67	182.82	-171.15

VT vs. TBUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is lower than the TBUX Sharpe Ratio of 7.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT and TBUX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VT vs. TBUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, which is greater than TBUX's maximum drawdown of -1.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and TBUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VT	TBUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.27%	-1.82%	-48.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-0.10%	-9.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.51%	-0.33%	-16.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.38%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	0.00%	-1.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.01%	-0.28%	-6.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	0.03%	+2.19%

Volatility

VT vs. TBUX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a higher volatility of 5.26% compared to T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) at 0.22%. This indicates that VT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TBUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VT	TBUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.26%	0.22%	+5.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.01%	0.46%	+10.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.38%	0.67%	+12.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.15%	1.07%	+15.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.27%	1.07%	+16.20%

VT vs. TBUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than TBUX's 0.17% 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

VT vs. TBUX - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than TBUX's 4.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	4.48%	4.67%	5.39%	4.66%	2.58%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.61%	1.82%	1.95%	2.08%	2.20%	1.82%	1.66%	2.32%	2.53%	2.11%	2.39%	2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VT and TBUX in my portfolio?

VT and TBUX have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VT or TBUX?

VT has higher volatility (5.26%) compared to TBUX (0.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs TBUX's -1.82%.

Which ETF is better, VT or TBUX?

On 3-year performance, VT leads with 19.71% vs 5.89% for TBUX. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, TBUX has been the lower-risk option at 0.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VT or TBUX?

Over the 3-year period, VT has performed better with a 19.71% return vs 5.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VT or TBUX?

VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for TBUX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VT or TBUX?

TBUX has the higher dividend yield at 4.48%, compared with 1.61% for VT.

What is the main difference between VT and TBUX?

VT is categorized as Global Equities, while TBUX is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and T. Rowe Price. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VT and 0.17% for TBUX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TBUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.19 vs 1.94), 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.