FJTDX vs. VGCAX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

FJTDX (Fidelity Flex Conservative Income Bond Fund) and VGCAX (Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both Total Bond Market funds. Over the past 5 years, FJTDX returned 3.69%/yr vs 1.48%/yr for VGCAX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FJTDX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for VGCAX.

Performance

FJTDX vs. VGCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Flex Conservative Income Bond Fund (FJTDX) and Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FJTDX having a 1.59% return and VGCAX slightly higher at 1.63%.

FJTDX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.59%
• 6M: 1.95%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 5.11%
• 5Y*: 3.69%
• 10Y*: —

VGCAX

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 1.63%
• 6M: 1.63%
• 1Y: 5.39%
• 3Y*: 6.38%
• 5Y*: 1.48%
• 10Y*: —

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

FJTDX vs. VGCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FJTDX Fidelity Flex Conservative Income Bond Fund	1.59%	4.75%	5.69%	5.48%	1.00%	0.16%	1.57%	3.20%	0.18%
VGCAX Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares	1.63%	7.30%	3.99%	9.22%	-13.43%	-0.64%	10.81%	13.05%	0.96%

Correlation

The correlation between FJTDX and VGCAX is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2018	0.22

The correlation between FJTDX and VGCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (1 year) to 0.22 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FJTDX vs. VGCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FJTDX

FJTDX Risk / Return Rank: 99
FJTDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FJTDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
FJTDX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
FJTDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
FJTDX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

VGCAX

VGCAX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VGCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VGCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VGCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VGCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VGCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

FJTDX vs. VGCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Flex Conservative Income Bond Fund (FJTDX) and Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FJTDX	VGCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.47	1.63	+1.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	17.57	2.40	+15.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	7.94	1.29	+6.65
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	44.20	1.85	+42.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	117.17	6.13	+111.04

FJTDX vs. VGCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FJTDX Sharpe Ratio is 3.47, which is higher than the VGCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FJTDX and VGCAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FJTDX vs. VGCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FJTDX drawdown since its inception was -1.90%, smaller than the maximum VGCAX drawdown of -18.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FJTDX and VGCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FJTDX	VGCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.90%	-18.63%	+16.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.10%	-2.90%	+2.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.90%	-4.00%	+3.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-0.90%	-18.63%	+17.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.13%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.08%	-4.31%	+4.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.04%	0.87%	-0.83%

Volatility

FJTDX vs. VGCAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Flex Conservative Income Bond Fund (FJTDX) is 0.35%, while Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX) has a volatility of 0.97%. This indicates that FJTDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FJTDX	VGCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	0.97%	-0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.86%	2.66%	-1.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27%	3.30%	-2.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.44%	5.07%	-3.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.27%	4.83%	-3.56%

FJTDX vs. VGCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FJTDX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than VGCAX's 0.25% 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

FJTDX vs. VGCAX - Dividend Comparison

FJTDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.37%, less than VGCAX's 4.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FJTDX Fidelity Flex Conservative Income Bond Fund	4.37%	4.63%	5.42%	4.70%	1.39%	0.36%	1.45%	2.65%	1.17%
VGCAX Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.92%	4.91%	4.65%	4.48%	2.72%	3.16%	4.65%	6.88%	0.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FJTDX and VGCAX in my portfolio?

FJTDX and VGCAX have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FJTDX or VGCAX?

VGCAX has higher volatility (0.97%) compared to FJTDX (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FJTDX dropped -1.90% vs VGCAX's -18.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FJTDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.47 vs 1.63), 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.