LDLVX vs. VFSTX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

LDLVX (Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund Class R6) and VFSTX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - LDLVX is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Lord Abbett, while VFSTX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, LDLVX returned 2.44%/yr vs 2.48%/yr for VFSTX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LDLVX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VFSTX.

Performance

LDLVX vs. VFSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund Class R6 (LDLVX) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDLVX achieves a 0.97% return, which is significantly higher than VFSTX's 0.88% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with LDLVX having a 2.44% annualized return and VFSTX not far ahead at 2.48%.

LDLVX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.16%
• 6M: 0.97%
• YTD: 0.97%
• 1Y: 3.94%
• 3Y*: 5.46%
• 5Y*: 2.45%
• 10Y*: 2.44%

VFSTX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.20%
• 6M: 0.88%
• YTD: 0.88%
• 1Y: 4.09%
• 3Y*: 5.67%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 2.48%

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

LDLVX vs. VFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LDLVX Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund Class R6	0.97%	6.28%	4.94%	5.75%	-5.31%	1.21%	3.22%	5.71%	1.54%	1.58%
VFSTX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	0.88%	6.75%	4.98%	6.06%	-5.84%	-0.70%	5.16%	5.75%	0.87%	2.02%

Correlation

The correlation between LDLVX and VFSTX is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2015	0.62

The correlation between LDLVX and VFSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LDLVX vs. VFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDLVX

LDLVX Risk / Return Rank: 80
LDLVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
LDLVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
LDLVX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
LDLVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
LDLVX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VFSTX

VFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VFSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

LDLVX vs. VFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund Class R6 (LDLVX) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX). 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.

	LDLVX	VFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	1.78	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	3.01	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.39	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	2.35	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.94	9.06	+3.88

LDLVX vs. VFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDLVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the VFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDLVX and VFSTX, 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

LDLVX vs. VFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDLVX drawdown since its inception was -9.67%, roughly equal to the maximum VFSTX drawdown of -9.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDLVX and VFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDLVX	VFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.67%	-9.35%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.29%	-1.71%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.29%	-1.71%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.35%	-9.35%	+2.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.67%	-9.35%	-0.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.19%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.43%	-1.12%	-0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.31%	0.44%	-0.13%

Volatility

LDLVX vs. VFSTX - Volatility Comparison

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund Class R6 (LDLVX) has a higher volatility of 0.78% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX) at 0.63%. This indicates that LDLVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LDLVX	VFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.78%	0.63%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.72%	1.72%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32%	2.25%	+0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.81%	2.99%	-0.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.63%	2.48%	+0.15%

LDLVX vs. VFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDLVX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSTX's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

LDLVX vs. VFSTX - Dividend Comparison

LDLVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.21%, more than VFSTX's 4.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LDLVX Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund Class R6	5.21%	5.29%	4.81%	4.76%	2.64%	2.66%	3.11%	3.86%	4.18%	2.99%	0.00%	0.00%
VFSTX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	4.63%	4.48%	4.06%	3.05%	1.93%	1.70%	2.24%	2.83%	2.68%	2.00%	2.04%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDLVX and VFSTX in my portfolio?

LDLVX and VFSTX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LDLVX or VFSTX?

LDLVX has higher volatility (0.78%) compared to VFSTX (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDLVX dropped -9.67% vs VFSTX's -9.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.71), 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.