Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is a ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BSV returned +2.34% while VT returned +25.25%. Year to date, BSV is up 0.41% versus a gain of 14.19% for VT.

Over three years, BSV compounded at +4.28% per year against +20.36% for VT; over five years the annualized figures are +1.59% and +11.17% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VT has the edge at +7.37% annualized vs +0.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

VT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 2.4% for BSV. 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 -50.6% for VT. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.28. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.

BSV charges 0.03% per year while VT charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BSV currently yields 3.98% against 1.61% for VT.