Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF

VGSH

Market cap $27.2B

After a three-year bull market in U.S. stocks, it's worthwhile to consider different ways to protect some of those gains. Investing in bonds and low-volatility stocks are two common ways to reduce broader portfolio risk.

China's reported move to curb U.S. Treasury exposure lifts yields and raises fiscal concerns. Here are ETF strategies investors can consider now.

The Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF is reliable safe haven in today's market dynamics. The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF provides exposure to 11,444 government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Both ETFs offer identical ultra-low expense ratios, but Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF edges out a slightly higher yield VGSH is larger by assets under management, while SCHO shows slightly lower volatility and a similar recent performance track record Portfolio holdings and sector exposures are nearly identical, with minimal quirks or hidden tilts in either fund We're bullish on these 10 stocks ›

Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund ETF remains a HOLD for capital preservation and steady carry, with low volatility due to its 2-year effective duration. VGSH benefits from a minimal 0.03% expense ratio and monthly distributions, making it an attractive defensive allocation in fixed income portfolios. Fed rate cuts are unlikely before mid-year; VGSH could benefit from price appreciation if employment data deteriorates and the Fed eases policy in H2 2026.

A new year can bring the adoption of a new perspective, which also applies to portfolio exposure. With that, the tried-and-tested 60-40 portfolio may be best flipped by instead using a 40-60 portfolio in a year that brings more uncertainty.

Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) and Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO) are both rated Buy for short-term U.S. Treasury exposure. VGSH is slightly superior due to its better liquidity, larger fund size, and higher 30-day SEC yield compared to SCHO. Both ETFs offer low expense ratios, minimal volatility, and are well-positioned for the current uncertain interest rate environment.

Orser Capital Management increased its Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF stake by almost 92,000 shares. The $5.40 million trade represented almost 3% of the firm's assets under management (AUM).

Bond ETFs like SGOV and SCHO gain traction as Treasury yields sink to three-year lows, reflecting rising investor caution amid mounting market stress.

These Gold-rated ETFs effectively control risk and deliver yield.