ASBAX vs. VBISX
Compare and contrast key facts about American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX).
ASBAX is managed by American Funds. It was launched on Oct 2, 2006. VBISX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Mar 1, 1994.
Performance
ASBAX vs. VBISX - Performance Comparison
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ASBAX vs. VBISX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASBAX American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America | -0.26% | 5.05% | 4.31% | 3.60% | -4.16% | -0.88% | 3.53% | 2.81% | 1.10% | 0.91% |
VBISX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund | -0.34% | 5.67% | 3.66% | 4.54% | -5.61% | -1.35% | 4.63% | 4.78% | 1.27% | 1.10% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ASBAX achieves a -0.26% return, which is significantly higher than VBISX's -0.34% return. Over the past 10 years, ASBAX has underperformed VBISX with an annualized return of 1.57%, while VBISX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.76% annualized return.
ASBAX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -0.93%
- YTD
- -0.26%
- 6M
- 0.79%
- 1Y
- 3.11%
- 3Y*
- 3.72%
- 5Y*
- 1.51%
- 10Y*
- 1.57%
VBISX
- 1D
- 0.20%
- 1M
- -1.25%
- YTD
- -0.34%
- 6M
- 0.83%
- 1Y
- 3.56%
- 3Y*
- 3.85%
- 5Y*
- 1.39%
- 10Y*
- 1.76%
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ASBAX vs. VBISX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ASBAX has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than VBISX's 0.15% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
ASBAX vs. VBISX — Risk / Return Rank
ASBAX
VBISX
ASBAX vs. VBISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX). 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.
| ASBAX | VBISX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.81 | 1.64 | +0.17 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 3.19 | 2.70 | +0.49 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.33 | +0.11 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.95 | 2.72 | +0.24 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.57 | 9.96 | +1.60 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ASBAX | VBISX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.81 | 1.64 | +0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.69 | 0.48 | +0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.87 | 0.74 | +0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.96 | 1.34 | -0.38 |
Correlation
The correlation between ASBAX and VBISX is 0.75, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
ASBAX vs. VBISX - Dividend Comparison
ASBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.50%, which matches VBISX's 3.52% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASBAX American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America | 3.50% | 3.87% | 3.99% | 2.88% | 1.02% | 0.42% | 2.08% | 1.66% | 1.70% | 1.21% | 0.83% | 1.21% |
VBISX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund | 3.52% | 3.44% | 3.29% | 2.10% | 1.38% | 1.16% | 1.72% | 2.16% | 1.92% | 1.58% | 1.42% | 1.34% |
Drawdowns
ASBAX vs. VBISX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ASBAX drawdown since its inception was -6.29%, smaller than the maximum VBISX drawdown of -8.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASBAX and VBISX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ASBAX | VBISX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.29% | -8.79% | +2.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.24% | -1.54% | +0.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -6.23% | -8.72% | +2.49% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -6.29% | -8.79% | +2.50% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.93% | -1.25% | +0.32% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.68% | -0.87% | +0.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.32% | 0.42% | -0.10% |
Volatility
ASBAX vs. VBISX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX) is 0.60%, while Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX) has a volatility of 0.74%. This indicates that ASBAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBISX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ASBAX | VBISX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.60% | 0.74% | -0.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.22% | 1.50% | -0.28% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.93% | 2.44% | -0.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.20% | 2.91% | -0.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.81% | 2.37% | -0.56% |