BSV vs VGSH
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Short Term Treasury ETF
Which is better, BSV or VGSH?
Short Term Bond against Short Term Government Bond.
BSV led over 3Y, VGSH over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BSV | VGSH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $45.6B | $34.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 3.82% |
| Holdings | 3,205 | 94 |
| YTD Return | -0.08% | +0.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.05% | +1.65%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.27%Best | +4.11% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.47% | +1.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.0% | 1.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -9.0% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,757 | $10,944Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Short Term Government Bond |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Nov 19, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 23, 2009 to Sep 18, 2026 (16.8 years).
BSV vs VGSH growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16.8 years both funds cover.
BSV vs VGSH Performance
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Short Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BSV returned +1.05% while VGSH returned +1.65%. Year to date, BSV is down 0.08% versus a gain of 0.48% for VGSH.
Over three years, BSV compounded at +4.27% per year against +4.11% for VGSH; over five years the annualized figures are +1.47% and +1.82% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VGSH has the edge at +0.69% annualized vs +0.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BSV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 2.0% compared with 1.4% for VGSH. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -9.0% for BSV and -6.7% for VGSH. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSV charges 0.03% per year while VGSH charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BSV currently yields 4.01% against 3.82% for VGSH.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,013 holdings in BSV and 71 in VGSH, totalling 63.3% and 76.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 70 positions appear in both.
70 positions in common, counted across the 1,013 positions we hold weights for in BSV and 71 in VGSH, against full books of 3,205 and 94.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BSV | Weight in VGSH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| T 3.5 01/31/28Us Treasury N/B 3.375 01/31/2028 | 1.11% | 2.25% | 1.14% |
| T 4 07/31/29Treasury Note (Otr) 4% Jul 31, 2029 | 0.71% | 1.36% | 0.65% |
| T 4.625 04/30/29United States Treasury Note/Bond 2029-04-30 | 0.61% | 1.40% | 0.79% |
| T 4.5 05/31/29Treasury Note (Otr) 4.5% May 31, 2029 | 0.56% | 1.37% | 0.81% |
| T 4.25 06/30/29United States Treasuryu.S. Treasury Notes | 0.58% | 1.31% | 0.73% |
| T 4.25 02/28/29United States Treasury Note 2029-02-28 | 0.53% | 1.31% | 0.78% |
| T 4.125 03/31/29Treasury Note 4.125 3/31/2029 | 0.54% | 1.30% | 0.76% |
| T 2.875 08/15/28United States Treasury Note 2.87500000 | 0.52% | 1.26% | 0.74% |
| T 2.875 05/15/28Us Treas Nts 2.875% 05/15/28 | 0.52% | 1.25% | 0.73% |
| T 4.25 01/15/28United 4.25% 01/28 4.25 | 0.51% | 1.25% | 0.74% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSV and VGSH you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BSV or VGSH?
BSV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VGSH charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BSV or VGSH?
Over the past year BSV returned +1.05% vs +1.65% for VGSH, so VGSH leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), BSV annualized +0.61% vs +0.69% for VGSH. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSV or VGSH?
BSV has been the more volatile fund at 2.0% annualized versus 1.4% for VGSH. Worst drawdown: BSV -9.0% vs VGSH -6.7%.
Should I hold both BSV and VGSH?
BSV and VGSH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BSV or VGSH?
BSV yields 4.01% while VGSH yields 3.82%, so BSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGSH better than BSV?
BSV led over 3Y, VGSH over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.