FIHBX vs. VWEAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FIHBX (Federated Hermes Institutional High Yield Bond Fund) and VWEAX (Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, FIHBX returned 5.05%/yr vs 5.26%/yr for VWEAX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FIHBX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VWEAX.

Performance

FIHBX vs. VWEAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes Institutional High Yield Bond Fund (FIHBX) and Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIHBX achieves a 1.27% return, which is significantly higher than VWEAX's 1.20% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FIHBX having a 5.05% annualized return and VWEAX not far ahead at 5.26%.

FIHBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 1.27%
• 6M: 2.24%
• 1Y: 6.62%
• 3Y*: 8.32%
• 5Y*: 3.49%
• 10Y*: 5.05%

VWEAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 7.12%
• 3Y*: 8.28%
• 5Y*: 4.19%
• 10Y*: 5.26%

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

FIHBX vs. VWEAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FIHBX Federated Hermes Institutional High Yield Bond Fund	1.27%	8.59%	6.40%	13.17%	-12.64%	3.92%	5.99%	15.01%	-2.80%	7.19%
VWEAX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares	1.20%	9.49%	6.42%	11.79%	-8.95%	3.04%	5.41%	15.92%	-2.80%	7.17%

Correlation

The correlation between FIHBX and VWEAX is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2002	0.82

Over the past year, the correlation between FIHBX and VWEAX has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.82, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FIHBX vs. VWEAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FIHBX

FIHBX Risk / Return Rank: 64
FIHBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
FIHBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FIHBX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
FIHBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
FIHBX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VWEAX

VWEAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VWEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VWEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VWEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VWEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VWEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

FIHBX vs. VWEAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes Institutional High Yield Bond Fund (FIHBX) and Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX). 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.

	FIHBX	VWEAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.20	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.81	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.55	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	2.83	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.30	14.47	-0.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FIHBX vs. VWEAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIHBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the VWEAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIHBX and VWEAX, 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

	FIHBX	VWEAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	2.20	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.86	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	1.00	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.36	1.23	+0.13

Drawdowns

FIHBX vs. VWEAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIHBX drawdown since its inception was -31.05%, roughly equal to the maximum VWEAX drawdown of -30.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIHBX and VWEAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FIHBX	VWEAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.05%	-30.05%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.45%	-2.52%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.60%	-3.32%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.35%	-13.77%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.67%	-19.68%	-1.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-2.12%	-0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.46%	0.49%	-0.03%

Volatility

FIHBX vs. VWEAX - Volatility Comparison

Federated Hermes Institutional High Yield Bond Fund (FIHBX) has a higher volatility of 1.08% compared to Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) at 0.98%. This indicates that FIHBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWEAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FIHBX	VWEAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.08%	0.98%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.74%	2.56%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.39%	3.25%	+0.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.19%	4.91%	+0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.76%	5.28%	+0.48%

FIHBX vs. VWEAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIHBX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VWEAX's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

FIHBX vs. VWEAX - Dividend Comparison

FIHBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.44%, more than VWEAX's 6.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIHBX Federated Hermes Institutional High Yield Bond Fund	6.44%	6.29%	5.94%	5.93%	4.58%	4.25%	5.14%	5.79%	6.24%	5.55%	5.75%	6.46%
VWEAX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares	6.36%	6.25%	6.20%	5.79%	5.21%	3.49%	4.71%	5.33%	6.07%	5.39%	5.51%	6.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FIHBX and VWEAX in my portfolio?

FIHBX and VWEAX have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FIHBX or VWEAX?

FIHBX has higher volatility (1.08%) compared to VWEAX (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIHBX dropped -31.05% vs VWEAX's -30.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.96), 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.