FSLD vs VABS
Fidelity Sustainable Low Duration Bond ETF vs Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF
Which is better, FSLD or VABS?
Each has led over a different period.
FSLD has a lower expense ratio. FSLD led over 1Y, VABS over the full window.
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 | FSLD | VABS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20%Best | 0.39% |
| AUM | $5M | $112M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.40% | 5.12% |
| Holdings | 227 | 162 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.8%Best | 2.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.6%Best | -3.7% |
| $10,000 over 3.6 years | $11,532 | $11,875Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Virtus Investment Partners |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Short Term Bond |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2022 | Feb 9, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 335 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. FSLD has data through Nov 13, 2025 and VABS through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 21, 2022 to Nov 13, 2025 (3.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VABS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 2.2% compared with 0.8% for FSLD. 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 -0.6% for FSLD and -3.7% for VABS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSLD charges 0.20% per year while VABS charges 0.39%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $39 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSLD currently yields 4.40% against 5.12% for VABS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of FSLD's money is in holdings VABS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VABS, our book for it covers 43.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 397 days apart, FSLD as of Aug 31, 2025 and VABS as of Oct 2, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 231 positions we hold weights for in FSLD and 71 in VABS, against full books of 227 and 162.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FSLD | Weight in VABS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALA 2025-OANA AAla Trust 2025-Oana 6.043 06/15/2030 | 0.20% | 1.25% | 1.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FSLD and VABS 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, FSLD or VABS?
FSLD has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VABS charges 0.39%. FSLD is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, FSLD or VABS?
VABS has been the more volatile fund at 2.2% annualized versus 0.8% for FSLD. Worst drawdown: FSLD -0.6% vs VABS -3.7%.
Should I hold both FSLD and VABS?
FSLD and VABS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSLD or VABS?
FSLD yields 4.40% while VABS yields 5.12%, so VABS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VABS better than FSLD?
FSLD has a lower expense ratio. FSLD led over 1Y, VABS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.