ULST vs VOO
State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, ULST or VOO?
Ultrashort Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and 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 | ULST | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $505M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 4.18% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 296 | 506 |
| YTD Return | +2.23% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.04% | +17.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.58% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.64% | +13.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.5%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.3%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,957 | $18,654Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 9, 2013 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 10, 2013 to Oct 14, 2026 (13 years).
ULST vs VOO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
ULST vs VOO Performance
State Street Ultra Short Term Bond ETF (ULST) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ULST returned +3.04% while VOO returned +17.55%. Year to date, ULST is up 2.23% versus a gain of 13.57% for VOO.
Over three years, ULST compounded at +4.58% per year against +22.46% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +3.64% and +13.28% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.07% annualized vs +1.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 1.5% for ULST. 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 -6.3% for ULST and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ULST charges 0.20% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $3 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ULST currently yields 4.18% against 1.06% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 6 holdings in ULST and 504 in VOO, totalling 9.8% and 100.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 6 positions we hold weights for in ULST and 504 in VOO, against full books of 296 and 506.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ULST and VOO 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, ULST or VOO?
ULST has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ULST or VOO?
Over the past year ULST returned +3.04% vs +17.55% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), ULST annualized +1.48% vs +13.07% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ULST or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 1.5% for ULST. Worst drawdown: ULST -6.3% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both ULST and VOO?
ULST and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, 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, ULST or VOO?
ULST yields 4.18% while VOO yields 1.06%, so ULST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than ULST?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.