ALFAX vs. VBITX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ALFAX (Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund) and VBITX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - ALFAX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Lord Abbett, while VBITX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, ALFAX returned 10.51%/yr vs 1.90%/yr for VBITX. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. ALFAX charges 1.40%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBITX.

Performance

ALFAX vs. VBITX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund (ALFAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBITX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALFAX achieves a 18.69% return, which is significantly higher than VBITX's 0.31% return. Over the past 10 years, ALFAX has outperformed VBITX with an annualized return of 10.51%, while VBITX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.90% annualized return.

ALFAX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 18.69%
• 6M: 18.13%
• 1Y: 32.77%
• 3Y*: 15.74%
• 5Y*: 5.22%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

VBITX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 6M: 0.55%
• 1Y: 3.76%
• 3Y*: 4.35%
• 5Y*: 1.56%
• 10Y*: 1.90%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ALFAX vs. VBITX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALFAX Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund	18.69%	8.80%	13.18%	13.92%	-23.50%	15.01%	26.16%	24.95%	-9.72%	20.61%
VBITX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.31%	6.11%	3.77%	4.43%	-5.61%	-1.18%	4.72%	4.89%	1.38%	1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between ALFAX and VBITX is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2011	-0.08

The correlation between ALFAX and VBITX shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (all time) to 0.18 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ALFAX vs. VBITX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ALFAX

ALFAX Risk / Return Rank: 55
ALFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
ALFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
ALFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
ALFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
ALFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VBITX

VBITX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VBITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VBITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VBITX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VBITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VBITX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ALFAX vs. VBITX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund (ALFAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBITX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ALFAX	VBITX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.66	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	2.81	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.33	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	2.44	+0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.75	8.04	+4.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ALFAX vs. VBITX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALFAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the VBITX Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALFAX and VBITX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ALFAX	VBITX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	1.66	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.53	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.79	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.79	-0.36

Drawdowns

ALFAX vs. VBITX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALFAX drawdown since its inception was -57.11%, which is greater than VBITX's maximum drawdown of -8.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALFAX and VBITX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALFAX	VBITX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.11%	-8.65%	-48.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.31%	-1.54%	-8.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.01%	-1.54%	-23.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.88%	-8.61%	-25.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.29%	-8.65%	-31.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-0.62%	+0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.87%	-1.18%	-11.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	0.47%	+2.20%

Volatility

ALFAX vs. VBITX - Volatility Comparison

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund (ALFAX) has a higher volatility of 5.84% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBITX) at 0.73%. This indicates that ALFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBITX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALFAX	VBITX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.84%	0.73%	+5.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.10%	1.62%	+11.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.86%	2.27%	+14.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.86%	2.96%	+16.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.72%	2.40%	+18.32%

ALFAX vs. VBITX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALFAX has a 1.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VBITX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALFAX vs. VBITX - Dividend Comparison

ALFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.47%, more than VBITX's 4.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALFAX Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund	4.47%	5.30%	0.80%	0.46%	6.94%	5.38%	7.99%	14.66%	16.61%	11.96%	11.85%	15.83%
VBITX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.01%	3.85%	3.39%	1.99%	1.48%	1.24%	1.80%	2.26%	2.03%	1.69%	1.52%	1.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALFAX and VBITX in my portfolio?

ALFAX and VBITX have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALFAX or VBITX?

ALFAX has higher volatility (5.84%) compared to VBITX (0.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALFAX dropped -57.11% vs VBITX's -8.65%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.66), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.