VWSUX vs. BUBIX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

VWSUX (Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) and BUBIX (Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - VWSUX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while BUBIX is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Baird. Over the past 10 years, VWSUX returned 2.01%/yr vs 2.70%/yr for BUBIX. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VWSUX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for BUBIX.

Performance

VWSUX vs. BUBIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWSUX) and Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund Institutional Class (BUBIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWSUX achieves a 1.40% return, which is significantly lower than BUBIX's 1.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VWSUX has underperformed BUBIX with an annualized return of 2.01%, while BUBIX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.70% annualized return.

VWSUX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.19%
• 6M: 1.21%
• YTD: 1.40%
• 1Y: 3.36%
• 3Y*: 4.10%
• 5Y*: 2.58%
• 10Y*: 2.01%

BUBIX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 1.49%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 1Y: 3.87%
• 3Y*: 4.94%
• 5Y*: 3.68%
• 10Y*: 2.70%

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

VWSUX vs. BUBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWSUX Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	1.40%	4.90%	3.77%	3.70%	-0.73%	0.19%	1.91%	2.59%	1.67%	1.10%
BUBIX Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund Institutional Class	1.69%	4.44%	5.65%	5.71%	0.96%	0.20%	1.66%	3.11%	1.95%	1.30%

Correlation

The correlation between VWSUX and BUBIX is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2014	0.11

Return for Risk

VWSUX vs. BUBIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWSUX

VWSUX Risk / Return Rank: 97
VWSUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VWSUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VWSUX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
VWSUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VWSUX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

BUBIX

BUBIX Risk / Return Rank: 100
BUBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BUBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
BUBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BUBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
BUBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

VWSUX vs. BUBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWSUX) and Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund Institutional Class (BUBIX). 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.

	VWSUX	BUBIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.02	5.52	-2.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.37	10.82	-3.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.35	5.95	-3.60
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.89	13.46	-8.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.74	95.46	-73.72

VWSUX vs. BUBIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWSUX Sharpe Ratio is 3.02, which is lower than the BUBIX Sharpe Ratio of 5.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWSUX and BUBIX, 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

VWSUX vs. BUBIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWSUX drawdown since its inception was -3.08%, which is greater than BUBIX's maximum drawdown of -1.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWSUX and BUBIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWSUX	BUBIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.08%	-1.88%	-1.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.69%	-0.30%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.01%	-0.30%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-2.23%	-0.68%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-3.08%	-1.88%	-1.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	0.00%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.15%	-0.05%	-0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.15%	0.04%	+0.11%

Volatility

VWSUX vs. BUBIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWSUX) has a higher volatility of 0.29% compared to Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund Institutional Class (BUBIX) at 0.23%. This indicates that VWSUX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUBIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWSUX	BUBIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.29%	0.23%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.83%	0.56%	+0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.12%	0.72%	+0.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.23%	0.80%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.13%	0.72%	+0.41%

VWSUX vs. BUBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWSUX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than BUBIX's 0.15% 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

VWSUX vs. BUBIX - Dividend Comparison

VWSUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.11%, less than BUBIX's 3.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUBIX Baird Ultra Short Bond Fund Institutional Class	3.90%	4.16%	5.31%	4.65%	1.56%	0.50%	1.44%	2.57%	2.13%	1.29%	1.04%	0.80%
VWSUX Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	3.11%	4.00%	3.82%	2.27%	1.24%	0.63%	1.26%	1.79%	1.53%	1.16%	0.97%	0.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWSUX and BUBIX in my portfolio?

VWSUX and BUBIX 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.

Which is riskier, VWSUX or BUBIX?

VWSUX has higher volatility (0.29%) compared to BUBIX (0.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWSUX dropped -3.08% vs BUBIX's -1.88%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUBIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.52 vs 3.02), 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.