FKSAX vs. VCPAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

FKSAX (Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class) and VCPAX (Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - FKSAX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while VCPAX is a Total Bond Market fund actively managed by Vanguard. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FKSAX returned 4.50%/yr vs 4.97%/yr for VCPAX. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FKSAX charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VCPAX.

Performance

FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class (FKSAX) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FKSAX achieves a -0.37% return, which is significantly lower than VCPAX's 0.05% return.

FKSAX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -1.05%
• 6M: -0.86%
• YTD: -0.37%
• 1Y: 2.20%
• 3Y*: 4.50%
• 5Y*: 1.24%
• 10Y*: 2.52%
• ALL TIME*: 4.79%

VCPAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.87%
• 6M: -0.29%
• YTD: 0.05%
• 1Y: 2.78%
• 3Y*: 4.97%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 0.87%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FKSAX Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VCPAX Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FKSAX Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class	-0.37%	6.16%	3.53%	8.10%	-10.38%	0.25%
VCPAX Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares	0.05%	8.06%	2.95%	6.80%	-12.60%	0.32%

Correlation

The correlation between FKSAX and VCPAX is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2021	0.89

The correlation between FKSAX and VCPAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FKSAX vs. VCPAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FKSAX

FKSAX Risk / Return Rank: 20
FKSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
FKSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
FKSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FKSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
FKSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

VCPAX

VCPAX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VCPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
VCPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
VCPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VCPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
VCPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class (FKSAX) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX). 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.

	FKSAX	VCPAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	1.02	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	1.51	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.18	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	1.35	-0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.59	3.75	-1.16

FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FKSAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is comparable to the VCPAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FKSAX and VCPAX, 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

FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FKSAX drawdown since its inception was -18.98%, which is greater than VCPAX's maximum drawdown of -17.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FKSAX and VCPAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FKSAX	VCPAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.98%	-17.25%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.01%	-2.65%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.33%	-4.75%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.50%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.27%	-1.74%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.13%	-6.27%	+4.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.18%	0.95%	+0.23%

Volatility

FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class (FKSAX) has a higher volatility of 1.06% compared to Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX) at 0.90%. This indicates that FKSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCPAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FKSAX	VCPAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.06%	0.90%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.93%	2.80%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.67%	3.51%	+0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.16%	5.58%	-1.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.13%	5.58%	-1.45%

FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FKSAX has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than VCPAX's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Dividend Comparison

FKSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, less than VCPAX's 4.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FKSAX Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class	4.21%	3.54%	4.98%	4.38%	4.62%	3.87%	4.17%	4.71%	4.57%	2.50%	2.72%	5.07%
VCPAX Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.47%	4.86%	5.19%	4.55%	3.26%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FKSAX and VCPAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, FKSAX and VCPAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FKSAX or VCPAX?

FKSAX has higher volatility (1.06%) compared to VCPAX (0.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FKSAX dropped -18.98% vs VCPAX's -17.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.02 vs 0.84), 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.