Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) Performance
BSV total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +0.4% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +1.1% total return
- 5 years
- +1.8% a year
- 10 years
- +1.9% a year
- Since first price
- +2.5% a year since 2007
BSV trailing returns vs AGG, TLT, SPY
| Period | BSV total return | Price only | U.S. bonds (AGG) | 20+ yr Treasuries (TLT) | S&P 500 (SPY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +0.8% | +0.5% | +0.9% | +1.5% | −1.0% |
| 3 months | +0.3% | −0.8% | −0.4% | −1.0% | +3.2% |
| 6 months | +0.0% | −2.0% | −1.5% | −3.8% | +7.8% |
| YTD | +0.4% | −2.6% | −1.0% | −3.4% | +12.3% |
| 1 year | +1.1% | −2.9% | −1.1% | −6.9% | +14.4% |
| 3 years | +14.3%+4.6%/yr | +2.4% | +16.6%+5.2%/yr | +9.7%+3.1%/yr | +87.4%+23.3%/yr |
| 5 years | +9.3%+1.8%/yr | −5.7% | −0.8%−0.2%/yr | −32.5%−7.6%/yr | +79.3%+12.4%/yr |
| 10 years | +20.8%+1.9%/yr | −4.7% | +14.0%+1.3%/yr | −18.7%−2.0%/yr | +315.9%+15.3%/yr |
| 15 years | +30.1%+1.8%/yr | −5.3% | +32.2%+1.9%/yr | +9.9%+0.6%/yr | +696.0%+14.8%/yr |
| Since inceptionApr 10, 2007 | +61.4%+2.5%/yr | +2.4% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: BSV vs AGG
From Apr 10, 2007: BSV grew to $16,137, AGG to $17,450.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
BSV returns by calendar year
16 of 18 full years positive. Best 2008 (+8.5%), worst 2022 (−5.5%). 2026 is year to date.
BSV annual returns table
| Year | BSV | Largest drop | AGG | TLT | SPY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +0.4% | −1.4% | −1.0% | −3.4% | +12.3% |
| 2025 | +6.0% | −1.0% | +7.2% | +4.3% | +17.7% |
| 2024 | +3.8% | −1.5% | +1.3% | −8.1% | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +4.9% | −2.1% | +5.7% | +2.8% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −5.5% | −7.3% | −13.0% | −31.2% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | −1.2% | −1.4% | −1.8% | −4.6% | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +4.7% | −4.7% | +7.5% | +18.2% | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +5.0% | −0.9% | +8.5% | +14.1% | +31.2% |
| 2018 | +1.3% | −0.9% | +0.1% | −1.6% | −4.6% |
| 2017 | +1.2% | −1.0% | +3.6% | +9.2% | +21.7% |
| 2016 | +1.3% | −1.7% | +2.4% | +1.2% | +12.0% |
| 2015 | +0.9% | −1.0% | +0.5% | −1.8% | +1.2% |
| 2014 | +1.5% | −0.7% | +6.0% | +27.3% | +13.5% |
| 2013 | +0.2% | −1.5% | −2.0% | −13.4% | +32.3% |
| 2012 | +2.0% | −0.5% | +3.8% | +2.6% | +16.0% |
| 2011 | +3.0% | −1.0% | +7.7% | +34.0% | +1.9% |
| 2010 | +3.9% | −1.7% | +6.4% | +9.0% | +15.1% |
| 2009 | +1.5% | −2.7% | +3.0% | −21.8% | +26.4% |
| 2008 | +8.5% | −7.0% | +7.9% | +33.9% | −36.8% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
BSV largest drawdowns
Now 0.5% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 3, 2021 | −8.6% | Oct 20, 2022 | Jul 31, 2024 | 1.2 years | 3.0 years |
| Sep 15, 2008 | −7.0% | Oct 13, 2008 | Nov 20, 2008 | 28 days | 2 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 5% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
BSV risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +4.3% | +1.5% | +1.8% | +2.4% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.4% | 3.0% | 2.3% | 2.4% |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.07 | -0.73 | -0.20 | 0.44 |
| Sortino ratio | -0.09 | -0.87 | -0.26 | 0.72 |
| Best month | +1.8% | +1.9% | +1.9% | +4.3% |
| Worst month | −1.1% | −1.9% | −1.9% | −2.0% |
| Best 12 months | +8.1% | +8.1% | +8.1% | +9.5% |
| Worst 12 months | +0.8% | −7.4% | −7.4% | −7.4% |
| Positive months | 75% | 60% | 62% | 65% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.06 | 0.09 | 0.04 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.34 | 0.47 | 0.27 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
BSV rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 223 | −7.4% | +2.3% | +9.5% | 87% |
| 3-year (a year) | 199 | −1.7% | +1.7% | +6.1% | 88% |
| 5-year (a year) | 175 | +0.4% | +1.6% | +4.7% | 100% |
| 10-year (a year) | 115 | +0.8% | +1.9% | +2.9% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2007. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
BSV performance overview
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) returned +1.1% over the past year and +1.9% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2007 it has returned +2.5% a year, turning $10,000 into about $16,137. Over the same year U.S. bonds (AGG) returned −1.1%.
The deepest decline was −8.6%, from Aug 3, 2021 to Oct 20, 2022, and it took 1.8 years to get back to the old high. BSV finished 16 of its 18 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2008 (+8.5%) and the worst 2022 (−5.5%). Volatility has been 2.4% a year.
Related: BSV chart, BSV dividends, BSV bond profile. See the BSV overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
BSV performance FAQ
What is the BSV return over the past year?
BSV returned +1.1% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 2.9%.
What is the average annual return of BSV?
BSV has returned +1.8% a year over 5 years, +1.9% a year over 10 years, +2.5% a year since April 10, 2007 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in BSV be worth?
$10,000 invested in BSV at its first recorded close on April 10, 2007 would be worth about $16,137 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for BSV?
The worst calendar year was 2022, with a total return of −5.5%. The best was 2008 at +8.5%.
What is the biggest drawdown of BSV?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −8.6% between August 3, 2021 and October 20, 2022. It recovered to the old high on July 31, 2024, 1.8 years after the bottom.
How volatile is BSV?
Over the past 3 years BSV had an annualized volatility of 2.4% and a Sharpe ratio of -0.07 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).