BSV vs. VASGX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) and VASGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund) are both funds - BSV is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VASGX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard. BSV is passively managed, while VASGX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, BSV returned 1.96%/yr vs 10.71%/yr for VASGX. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. BSV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VASGX.

Performance

BSV vs. VASGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSV achieves a 0.37% return, which is significantly lower than VASGX's 10.11% return. Over the past 10 years, BSV has underperformed VASGX with an annualized return of 1.96%, while VASGX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.71% annualized return.

BSV

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 0.37%
• 6M: 0.68%
• 1Y: 3.51%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: 1.63%
• 10Y*: 1.96%

VASGX

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 3.18%
• YTD: 10.11%
• 6M: 10.76%
• 1Y: 24.24%
• 3Y*: 17.63%
• 5Y*: 8.85%
• 10Y*: 10.71%

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

BSV vs. VASGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	0.37%	6.00%	3.78%	4.90%	-5.49%	-1.09%	4.70%	4.98%	1.34%	1.20%
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund	10.11%	19.65%	12.95%	18.76%	-17.21%	14.35%	15.45%	23.14%	-6.89%	19.21%

Correlation

The correlation between BSV and VASGX is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007	-0.08

The correlation between BSV and VASGX shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (all time) to 0.32 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BSV vs. VASGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSV

BSV Risk / Return Rank: 61
BSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
BSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
BSV Omega Ratio Rank: 63
BSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
BSV Martin Ratio Rank: 56

VASGX

VASGX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VASGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VASGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VASGX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VASGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VASGX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

BSV vs. VASGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX). 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.

	BSV	VASGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	2.38	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	3.33	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.44	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	3.02	-0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.60	13.35	-3.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BSV vs. VASGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSV Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the VASGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSV and VASGX, 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

	BSV	VASGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	2.38	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.70	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.80	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.58	+0.27

Drawdowns

BSV vs. VASGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSV drawdown since its inception was -8.54%, smaller than the maximum VASGX drawdown of -51.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSV and VASGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSV	VASGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.54%	-51.16%	+42.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.29%	-8.17%	+6.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.53%	-12.89%	+11.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.54%	-24.43%	+15.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.54%	-28.53%	+19.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.68%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	-7.25%	+6.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.37%	1.85%	-1.48%

Volatility

BSV vs. VASGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) is 0.53%, while Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) has a volatility of 3.22%. This indicates that BSV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VASGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSV	VASGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.53%	3.22%	-2.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.26%	8.29%	-7.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81%	10.36%	-8.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.72%	12.77%	-10.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.37%	13.48%	-11.11%

BSV vs. VASGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VASGX's 0.14% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BSV vs. VASGX - Dividend Comparison

BSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, more than VASGX's 3.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	3.99%	3.83%	3.38%	2.46%	1.50%	1.45%	1.79%	2.29%	1.99%	1.65%	1.48%	1.40%
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund	3.72%	4.09%	6.15%	3.00%	2.10%	3.54%	3.54%	2.34%	4.36%	2.13%	2.23%	4.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSV and VASGX in my portfolio?

BSV and VASGX have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSV or VASGX?

VASGX has higher volatility (3.22%) compared to BSV (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSV dropped -8.54% vs VASGX's -51.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VASGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.97), 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.