VTIAX vs. VUSB

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VUSB (Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both funds - VTIAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VUSB is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. VTIAX is passively managed, while VUSB is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VTIAX returned 8.12%/yr vs 3.45%/yr for VUSB. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VTIAX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VUSB.

Performance

VTIAX vs. VUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTIAX achieves a 12.84% return, which is significantly higher than VUSB's 1.48% return.

VTIAX

• 1D: 3.14%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 12.84%
• 6M: 14.70%
• 1Y: 27.44%
• 3Y*: 18.43%
• 5Y*: 8.12%
• 10Y*: 9.95%

VUSB

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 1.48%
• 6M: 1.78%
• 1Y: 4.47%
• 3Y*: 5.40%
• 5Y*: 3.45%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTIAX vs. VUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.84%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	2.55%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.48%	5.20%	5.68%	5.52%	-0.36%	0.08%

Correlation

The correlation between VTIAX and VUSB is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 2021	0.22

VTIAX vs. VUSB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTIAX	VUSB
Financial Services	22.3%	-
Technology	18.1%	0.2%
Industrials	16.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	-
Basic Materials	7.6%	-
Healthcare	7.1%	-
Energy	5.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	-
Communication Services	4.4%	-
Utilities	3.2%	-
Real Estate	2.6%	-

Return for Risk

VTIAX vs. VUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VUSB

VUSB Risk / Return Rank: 99
VUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
VUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

VTIAX vs. VUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB). 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.

	VTIAX	VUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	6.91	-5.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	12.46	-9.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	3.34	-1.99
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	12.12	-9.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.72	69.82	-60.10

VTIAX vs. VUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is lower than the VUSB Sharpe Ratio of 6.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTIAX and VUSB, 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

VTIAX vs. VUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTIAX drawdown since its inception was -35.83%, which is greater than VUSB's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTIAX and VUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTIAX	VUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.83%	-1.79%	-34.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.28%	-0.37%	-10.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.13%	-0.46%	-12.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.56%	-1.79%	-27.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.23%	0.00%	-2.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.07%	-0.27%	-7.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.91%	0.06%	+2.85%

Volatility

VTIAX vs. VUSB - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) has a higher volatility of 6.40% compared to Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) at 0.19%. This indicates that VTIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTIAX	VUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.40%	0.19%	+6.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.98%	0.53%	+12.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.09%	0.65%	+14.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.21%	0.83%	+14.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.97%	0.82%	+15.15%

VTIAX vs. VUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTIAX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VUSB's 0.10% 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

VTIAX vs. VUSB - Dividend Comparison

VTIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, less than VUSB's 4.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.66%	3.15%	3.33%	3.22%	3.04%	3.05%	2.10%	3.04%	3.16%	2.73%	2.93%	2.84%
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF	4.39%	4.63%	5.16%	4.45%	1.56%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTIAX and VUSB in my portfolio?

VTIAX and VUSB have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTIAX or VUSB?

VTIAX has higher volatility (6.40%) compared to VUSB (0.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTIAX dropped -35.83% vs VUSB's -1.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.91 vs 1.88), 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.