VTES vs. VSS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTES (Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares) and VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTES is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P 0-7 Yr National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VSS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VTES returned 3.23%/yr vs 16.67%/yr for VSS. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.07% expense ratio.

Performance

VTES vs. VSS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares (VTES) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTES achieves a 0.66% return, which is significantly lower than VSS's 10.57% return.

VTES

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 0.66%
• 6M: 1.02%
• 1Y: 3.63%
• 3Y*: 3.23%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VSS

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: 1.27%
• YTD: 10.57%
• 6M: 13.10%
• 1Y: 27.32%
• 3Y*: 16.67%
• 5Y*: 5.76%
• 10Y*: 8.07%

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

VTES vs. VSS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares	0.66%	4.19%	1.85%	3.32%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	10.57%	29.61%	2.94%	10.31%

Correlation

The correlation between VTES and VSS is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2023	0.17

Return for Risk

VTES vs. VSS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTES

VTES Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VTES Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VTES Martin Ratio Rank: 44

VSS

VSS Risk / Return Rank: 51
VSS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VSS Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VSS Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VSS Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VSS Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

VTES vs. VSS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares (VTES) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). 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.

	VTES	VSS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	1.85	+1.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.26	2.54	+1.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	1.34	+0.36
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	2.36	+0.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.36	9.13	-1.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTES vs. VSS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTES Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is higher than the VSS Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTES and VSS, 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

	VTES	VSS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	1.85	+1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.35	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.81	0.55	+1.26

Drawdowns

VTES vs. VSS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTES drawdown since its inception was -2.42%, smaller than the maximum VSS drawdown of -43.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTES and VSS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTES	VSS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.42%	-43.51%	+41.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.47%	-11.62%	+10.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.80%	-15.73%	+13.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	-2.58%	+1.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.50%	-9.64%	+9.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	3.00%	-2.51%

Volatility

VTES vs. VSS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares (VTES) is 0.35%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) has a volatility of 5.33%. This indicates that VTES experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTES	VSS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	5.33%	-4.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.97%	12.64%	-11.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24%	14.81%	-13.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.72%	16.46%	-14.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.72%	17.27%	-15.55%

VTES vs. VSS - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VTES and VSS have an expense ratio of 0.07%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTES vs. VSS - Dividend Comparison

VTES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, less than VSS's 3.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	3.07%	3.39%	3.44%	3.14%	2.30%	2.74%	1.90%	3.25%	2.80%	2.83%	2.93%	2.66%
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares	2.75%	2.77%	2.99%	2.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTES and VSS in my portfolio?

VTES and VSS have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTES or VSS?

VSS has higher volatility (5.33%) compared to VTES (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTES dropped -2.42% vs VSS's -43.51%.

Which ETF is better, VTES or VSS?

On 3-year performance, VSS leads with 16.67% vs 3.23% for VTES. Both ETFs have the same 0.07% expense ratio. On volatility, VTES has been the lower-risk option at 0.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTES or VSS?

Over the 3-year period, VSS has performed better with a 16.67% return vs 3.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTES or VSS?

VTES and VSS have the same expense ratio: 0.07% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTES or VSS?

VSS has the higher dividend yield at 3.07%, compared with 2.75% for VTES.

What is the main difference between VTES and VSS?

VTES is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while VSS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. VTES tracks S&P 0-7 Yr National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VSS tracks FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 1.85), 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.