- ISIN
- US9220318516
- CUSIP
- 922031851
- Issuer
- Vanguard
- Inception Date
- Feb 13, 2001
- Category
- Government Bonds
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Bond
- Assets Under Management
- $6B
Share Price Chart
Loading charts...
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Performance
VFIRX Performance Chart
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VFIRX) is up 0.5% since the beginning of the year. VFIRX is currently trading at $10 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of VFIRX shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,082.
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VFIRX) has returned 0.54% so far this year and 3.58% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, VFIRX has returned 1.70% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.61% annually.
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.53%
- YTD
- 0.54%
- 6M
- 0.75%
- 1Y
- 3.58%
- 3Y*
- 4.30%
- 5Y*
- 1.59%
- 10Y*
- 1.70%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- -1.21%
- 1M
- 0.23%
- YTD
- 8.39%
- 6M
- 10.39%
- 1Y
- 24.03%
- 3Y*
- 18.94%
- 5Y*
- 12.24%
- 10Y*
- 13.61%
VFIRX Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Feb 13, 2001, VFIRX's average daily return is +0.01%, while the average monthly return is +0.20%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 28.9 years.
Historically, 66% of months were positive and 34% were negative. The best month was Nov 2007 with a return of +2.2%, while the worst month was Mar 2022 at -1.5%. The longest winning streak lasted 10 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 6 months.
On a daily basis, VFIRX closed higher 32% of trading days. The best single day was Sep 17, 2001 with a return of +1.1%, while the worst single day was Jun 5, 2009 at -0.7%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.21% | 0.79% | -0.69% | 0.21% | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.54% | ||||||
| 2025 | 0.46% | 0.94% | 0.46% | 0.85% | -0.25% | 0.64% | -0.06% | 0.94% | 0.32% | 0.32% | 0.51% | 0.21% | 5.47% |
| 2024 | 0.36% | -0.58% | 0.41% | -0.50% | 0.85% | 0.59% | 1.30% | 0.99% | 0.85% | -0.85% | 0.34% | 0.05% | 3.85% |
| 2023 | 0.99% | -1.23% | 1.70% | 0.25% | -0.47% | -0.69% | 0.35% | 0.36% | -0.47% | 0.17% | 1.29% | 1.39% | 3.66% |
| 2022 | -0.71% | -0.24% | -1.51% | -0.75% | 0.65% | -0.65% | 0.61% | -1.13% | -1.49% | -0.18% | 0.76% | -0.04% | -4.61% |
| 2021 | 0.00% | -0.28% | 0.08% | 0.17% | 0.13% | -0.33% | 0.13% | 0.02% | -0.17% | -0.36% | 0.02% | -0.22% | -0.80% |
Benchmark Metrics
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares has an annualized alpha of 2.65%, beta of -0.02, and R2 of 0.05 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since February 13, 2001.
- This fund captured 3.92% of S&P 500 Index gains and tended to rise during its downturns (downside capture of -9.29%) - a profile typical of hedging or uncorrelated assets.
- Beta of -0.02 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.05 this fund is largely uncorrelated with S&P 500 Index - low beta reflects independence, not downside protection. See the Volatility section for a true picture of this fund's risk.
- R2 of 0.05 means this fund moves largely independently of S&P 500 Index - capture ratios reflect limited market correlation rather than active downside protection. Consider using a more representative benchmark.
- Alpha
- 2.65%
- Beta
- -0.02
- R²
- 0.05
- Upside Capture
- 3.92%
- Downside Capture
- -9.29%
Expense Ratio
VFIRX has an expense ratio of 0.10%, which is considered low.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
VFIRX ranks 55 for risk / return — on par with similar mutual funds. You're getting a typical balance of risk and reward. Not a standout, but not a red flag either — a reasonable choice if other factors align with your goals.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VFIRX) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VFIRX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.12 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.58 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.35 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.64 | 2.65 | -0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.57 | 11.88 | -3.31 |
Dividends
Dividend History
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares provided a 3.84% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $0.38 per share.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $0.38 | $0.40 | $0.44 | $0.40 | $0.20 | $0.06 | $0.25 | $0.26 | $0.23 | $0.13 | $0.14 | $0.10 |
Dividend yield | 3.84% | 3.99% | 4.49% | 4.07% | 2.03% | 0.60% | 2.30% | 2.49% | 2.21% | 1.25% | 1.28% | 0.93% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.00 | $0.15 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.04 | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.40 |
| 2024 | $0.04 | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.44 |
| 2023 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.40 |
| 2022 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.02 | $0.01 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.20 |
| 2021 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.03 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.01 | $0.06 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
Loading charts...
Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares was 6.73%, occurring on Oct 20, 2022. Recovery took 445 trading sessions.
The current Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares drawdown is 0.46%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bear market2022 | -6.73%Oct 2022 | 1y 4mo | 1y 9mo | 3y 1moJun 2021 - Jul 2024 |
Dot-com crash2000–2002 | -2.51%Dec 2001 | 1mo 9d | 4mo 15d | 5mo 24dNov 2001 - May 2002 |
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -2.37%Jun 2008 | 2mo 27d | 2mo 23d | 5mo 20dMar 2008 - Sep 2008 |
2004 pullback2004 | -1.99%Jun 2004 | 2mo 14d | 4mo 1d | 6mo 15dApr 2004 - Oct 2004 |
2003 pullback2003 | -1.70%Aug 2003 | 2mo 12d | 4mo 6d | 6mo 18dJun 2003 - Dec 2003 |
Drawdown Indicators
| VFIRX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.73% | -56.78% | +50.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.40% | -9.10% | +7.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.40% | -18.90% | +17.50% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -6.64% | -25.43% | +18.79% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -6.73% | -33.92% | +27.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.46% | -2.49% | +2.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.71% | -10.72% | +10.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.43% | 2.03% | -1.60% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Build a portfolio with VFIRX
Add Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares to a portfolio and analyze allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Analyzer with VFIRX