VUS vs. VSHY

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

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

Performance

VUS vs. VSHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) and Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (VSHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

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

VUS

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

VSHY

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

*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

VUS vs. VSHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

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

Correlation

The correlation between VUS and VSHY 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

VUS vs. VSHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUS

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

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

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.

VUS vs. VSHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) and Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (VSHY). 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.

	VUS	VSHY	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

VUS vs. VSHY - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

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

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VUS	VSHY	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	14.68%	3.44%	+11.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.68%	4.33%	+10.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.68%	4.33%	+10.35%

VUS vs. VSHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

VUS vs. VSHY - Dividend Comparison

VUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, less than VSHY's 6.24% 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 VUS and VSHY in my portfolio?

VUS and VSHY 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, VUS or VSHY?

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, VUS or VSHY?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between VUS and VSHY?

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