FSTGX vs. VGIT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSTGX (Fidelity Intermediate Government Income Fund) and VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, FSTGX returned 1.04%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for VGIT. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FSTGX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGIT.

Performance

FSTGX vs. VGIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Intermediate Government Income Fund (FSTGX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSTGX achieves a 0.05% return, which is significantly higher than VGIT's -0.46% return. Over the past 10 years, FSTGX has underperformed VGIT with an annualized return of 1.04%, while VGIT has yielded a comparatively higher 1.23% annualized return.

FSTGX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 0.05%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 3.38%
• 3Y*: 3.47%
• 5Y*: 0.40%
• 10Y*: 1.04%

VGIT

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: -0.46%
• 6M: -0.60%
• 1Y: 3.54%
• 3Y*: 3.40%
• 5Y*: 0.05%
• 10Y*: 1.23%

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

FSTGX vs. VGIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSTGX Fidelity Intermediate Government Income Fund	0.05%	6.00%	2.24%	3.88%	-8.76%	-2.28%	5.46%	4.84%	1.20%	0.98%
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF	-0.46%	7.34%	1.39%	4.28%	-10.53%	-2.64%	7.71%	6.19%	1.35%	1.70%

Correlation

The correlation between FSTGX and VGIT is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.91

The correlation between FSTGX and VGIT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FSTGX vs. VGIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSTGX

FSTGX Risk / Return Rank: 20
FSTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
FSTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
FSTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
FSTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
FSTGX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

VGIT

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

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.

FSTGX vs. VGIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Intermediate Government Income Fund (FSTGX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT). 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.

	FSTGX	VGIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	1.05	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	1.59	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.18	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	1.25	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.16	3.75	+1.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSTGX vs. VGIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSTGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is comparable to the VGIT Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSTGX and VGIT, 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

	FSTGX	VGIT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	1.05	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.01	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	0.27	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.21	0.49	+0.71

Drawdowns

FSTGX vs. VGIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSTGX drawdown since its inception was -13.66%, smaller than the maximum VGIT drawdown of -16.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSTGX and VGIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSTGX	VGIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.66%	-16.05%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.89%	-2.83%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.03%	-4.34%	+1.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.54%	-15.02%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-13.66%	-16.05%	+2.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.13%	-2.39%	+1.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.57%	-3.52%	+1.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.64%	0.94%	-0.30%

Volatility

FSTGX vs. VGIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Intermediate Government Income Fund (FSTGX) is 0.79%, while Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) has a volatility of 1.05%. This indicates that FSTGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSTGX	VGIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.79%	1.05%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.82%	2.33%	-0.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.64%	3.38%	-0.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.10%	5.38%	-1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.38%	4.50%	-1.12%

FSTGX vs. VGIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSTGX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VGIT's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSTGX vs. VGIT - Dividend Comparison

FSTGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.15%, less than VGIT's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSTGX Fidelity Intermediate Government Income Fund	3.15%	3.04%	2.94%	2.12%	0.99%	0.77%	2.65%	1.85%	1.84%	1.47%	1.52%	1.69%
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF	3.87%	3.79%	3.67%	2.73%	1.74%	1.69%	2.23%	2.24%	2.05%	1.67%	1.69%	1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSTGX and VGIT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, FSTGX and VGIT 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, FSTGX or VGIT?

VGIT has higher volatility (1.05%) compared to FSTGX (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSTGX dropped -13.66% vs VGIT's -16.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSTGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 1.05), 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.