VUSB vs. SPTU
VUSB (Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF) and SPTU (State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF) are both Ultrashort Bond funds. VUSB is actively managed, while SPTU is passively managed. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VUSB charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPTU.
Performance
VUSB vs. SPTU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VUSB achieves a 1.39% return, which is significantly lower than SPTU's 1.48% return.
VUSB
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- 0.40%
- YTD
- 1.39%
- 6M
- 1.76%
- 1Y
- 4.59%
- 3Y*
- 5.34%
- 5Y*
- 3.43%
- 10Y*
- —
SPTU
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.31%
- YTD
- 1.48%
- 6M
- 1.81%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VUSB vs. SPTU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF | 1.39% | 1.06% |
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF | 1.48% | 0.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between VUSB and SPTU is 0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2025 | 0.10 |
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Return for Risk
VUSB vs. SPTU — Risk / Return Rank
VUSB
SPTU
VUSB vs. SPTU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU). 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.
| VUSB | SPTU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 3.44 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 12.43 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 71.97 | — | — |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VUSB | SPTU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.10 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 4.14 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 4.09 | 11.82 | -7.73 |
Drawdowns
VUSB vs. SPTU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VUSB drawdown since its inception was -1.79%, which is greater than SPTU's maximum drawdown of -0.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSB and SPTU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VUSB | SPTU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -1.79% | -0.04% | -1.75% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.37% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.46% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -1.79% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.02% | 0.00% | -0.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.27% | -0.00% | -0.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.06% | — | — |
Volatility
VUSB vs. SPTU - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| VUSB | SPTU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.18% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.52% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.65% | 0.32% | +0.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 0.83% | 0.32% | +0.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 0.82% | 0.32% | +0.50% |
VUSB vs. SPTU - Expense Ratio Comparison
VUSB has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTU's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VUSB vs. SPTU - Dividend Comparison
VUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.39%, more than SPTU's 2.36% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF | 2.36% | 0.89% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VUSB Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF | 4.39% | 4.63% | 5.16% | 4.45% | 1.56% | 0.26% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VUSB and SPTU have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, SPTU is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
SPTU is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VUSB.
VUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.39%, compared with 2.36% for SPTU.
They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VUSB and 0.05% for SPTU.
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