FKSAX vs. VCPAX
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 managed by Vanguard. Over the past 3 years, FKSAX returned 4.98%/yr vs 5.28%/yr for VCPAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FKSAX charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VCPAX.
Performance
FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FKSAX achieves a 0.32% return, which is significantly lower than VCPAX's 0.72% return.
FKSAX
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- 0.61%
- YTD
- 0.32%
- 6M
- 0.45%
- 1Y
- 4.49%
- 3Y*
- 4.98%
- 5Y*
- 1.50%
- 10Y*
- 2.83%
VCPAX
- 1D
- -0.23%
- 1M
- 0.69%
- YTD
- 0.72%
- 6M
- 0.89%
- 1Y
- 5.03%
- 3Y*
- 5.28%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FKSAX Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class | 0.32% | 6.16% | 3.53% | 8.10% | -10.38% | 0.25% |
VCPAX Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares | 0.72% | 8.06% | 2.95% | 6.80% | -12.60% | 0.32% |
Correlation
The correlation between FKSAX and VCPAX is 0.94, 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 | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2021 | 0.88 |
The correlation between FKSAX and VCPAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FKSAX vs. VCPAX — Risk / Return Rank
FKSAX
VCPAX
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 ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.27 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.54 | 2.00 | -0.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.39 | 6.11 | -1.72 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FKSAX | VCPAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 | -3.44% | -5.71% | +2.27% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.58% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.50% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.59% | -1.09% | -0.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.13% | -6.39% | +4.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.05% | 0.87% | +0.18% |
Volatility
FKSAX vs. VCPAX - Volatility Comparison
Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class (FKSAX) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX) have volatilities of 1.07% and 1.07%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FKSAX | VCPAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.07% | 1.07% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.79% | 2.69% | +0.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.63% | 3.54% | +0.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.13% | 5.62% | -1.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.13% | 5.62% | -1.49% |
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 4.19%, less than VCPAX's 4.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FKSAX Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Advisor Class | 4.19% | 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 | 4.84% | 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
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.
VCPAX has higher volatility (1.07%) compared to FKSAX (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FKSAX dropped -18.98% vs VCPAX's -17.25%.
VCPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.28), 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.
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