FCBFX vs. VSTBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FCBFX (Fidelity Corporate Bond Fund) and VSTBX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Corporate Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, FCBFX returned 2.77%/yr vs 3.01%/yr for VSTBX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FCBFX charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSTBX.

Performance

FCBFX vs. VSTBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Corporate Bond Fund (FCBFX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCBFX achieves a 0.65% return, which is significantly lower than VSTBX's 0.73% return. Over the past 10 years, FCBFX has underperformed VSTBX with an annualized return of 2.77%, while VSTBX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.01% annualized return.

FCBFX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 0.65%
• 6M: 0.57%
• 1Y: 6.30%
• 3Y*: 5.69%
• 5Y*: 0.52%
• 10Y*: 2.77%

VSTBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 1.00%
• 1Y: 4.66%
• 3Y*: 5.68%
• 5Y*: 2.43%
• 10Y*: 3.01%

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

FCBFX vs. VSTBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCBFX Fidelity Corporate Bond Fund	0.65%	7.86%	2.82%	8.82%	-17.11%	-1.59%	10.59%	14.48%	-2.56%	6.83%
VSTBX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.73%	6.75%	5.37%	6.17%	-5.73%	-0.41%	5.07%	9.68%	0.92%	2.48%

Correlation

The correlation between FCBFX and VSTBX is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 6, 2010	0.81

The correlation between FCBFX and VSTBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FCBFX vs. VSTBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCBFX

FCBFX Risk / Return Rank: 27
FCBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
FCBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
FCBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
FCBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
FCBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VSTBX

VSTBX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VSTBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VSTBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
VSTBX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VSTBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VSTBX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

FCBFX vs. VSTBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Corporate Bond Fund (FCBFX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX). 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.

	FCBFX	VSTBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.67	-1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	4.17	-1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.54	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	3.57	-1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.31	14.23	-7.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCBFX vs. VSTBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCBFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the VSTBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCBFX and VSTBX, 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

	FCBFX	VSTBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	2.67	-1.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	0.90	-0.82
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	1.27	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	1.47	-0.75

Drawdowns

FCBFX vs. VSTBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCBFX drawdown since its inception was -23.23%, which is greater than VSTBX's maximum drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCBFX and VSTBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCBFX	VSTBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.23%	-9.34%	-13.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.31%	-1.31%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.57%	-1.31%	-5.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.21%	-9.34%	-13.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.23%	-9.34%	-13.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.94%	-0.24%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.98%	-0.96%	-3.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.02%	0.33%	+0.69%

Volatility

FCBFX vs. VSTBX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Corporate Bond Fund (FCBFX) has a higher volatility of 1.46% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX) at 0.57%. This indicates that FCBFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSTBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCBFX	VSTBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.46%	0.57%	+0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.14%	1.27%	+1.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.31%	1.76%	+2.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.69%	2.71%	+3.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.95%	2.38%	+3.57%

FCBFX vs. VSTBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCBFX has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTBX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCBFX vs. VSTBX - Dividend Comparison

FCBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.23%, less than VSTBX's 4.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCBFX Fidelity Corporate Bond Fund	4.23%	4.11%	3.95%	3.74%	2.53%	2.82%	3.19%	3.28%	3.65%	3.16%	3.55%	3.01%
VSTBX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.44%	4.34%	4.29%	3.09%	2.00%	1.80%	2.27%	5.40%	2.67%	2.27%	1.96%	2.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCBFX and VSTBX in my portfolio?

FCBFX and VSTBX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCBFX or VSTBX?

FCBFX has higher volatility (1.46%) compared to VSTBX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCBFX dropped -23.23% vs VSTBX's -9.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.49), 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.