NSTMX vs. VBIRX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

NSTMX (Columbia Short Term Bond Fund) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, NSTMX returned 2.51%/yr vs 1.84%/yr for VBIRX. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NSTMX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBIRX.

Performance

NSTMX vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSTMX achieves a 1.19% return, which is significantly higher than VBIRX's 0.04% return. Over the past 10 years, NSTMX has outperformed VBIRX with an annualized return of 2.51%, while VBIRX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.84% annualized return.

NSTMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.31%
• 6M: 0.71%
• YTD: 1.19%
• 1Y: 3.40%
• 3Y*: 5.45%
• 5Y*: 2.77%
• 10Y*: 2.51%
• ALL TIME*: 3.47%

VBIRX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -0.39%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.04%
• 1Y: 2.00%
• 3Y*: 4.40%
• 5Y*: 1.52%
• 10Y*: 1.84%
• ALL TIME*: 2.57%

*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)
NSTMX Columbia Short Term Bond Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

NSTMX vs. VBIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NSTMX Columbia Short Term Bond Fund	1.19%	5.95%	5.45%	6.97%	-4.82%	0.73%	3.42%	5.20%	0.62%	1.04%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.04%	6.09%	3.75%	4.87%	-5.63%	-1.20%	4.69%	4.86%	1.37%	1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between NSTMX and VBIRX is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.74

The correlation between NSTMX and VBIRX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NSTMX vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSTMX

NSTMX Risk / Return Rank: 94
NSTMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
NSTMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
NSTMX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
NSTMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
NSTMX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

VBIRX

VBIRX Risk / Return Rank: 36
VBIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
VBIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VBIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VBIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VBIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

NSTMX vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). 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.

	NSTMX	VBIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	1.18	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.22	1.95	+2.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.23	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.09	1.69	+2.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.51	4.73	+11.77

NSTMX vs. VBIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSTMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is higher than the VBIRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSTMX and VBIRX, 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

NSTMX vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSTMX drawdown since its inception was -9.50%, which is greater than VBIRX's maximum drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSTMX and VBIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSTMX	VBIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.50%	-8.69%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.91%	-1.54%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.91%	-1.55%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.06%	-8.47%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.50%	-8.69%	-0.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-0.89%	+0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.53%	-0.98%	+0.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	0.55%	-0.32%

Volatility

NSTMX vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX) is 0.34%, while Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) has a volatility of 0.46%. This indicates that NSTMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSTMX	VBIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.34%	0.46%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.28%	1.68%	-0.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73%	2.23%	-0.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.22%	2.98%	-0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.15%	2.40%	-0.25%

NSTMX vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSTMX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIRX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSTMX vs. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison

NSTMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.18%, more than VBIRX's 3.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NSTMX Columbia Short Term Bond Fund	4.18%	4.73%	3.84%	3.71%	2.11%	1.53%	2.32%	3.45%	1.42%	1.44%	0.89%	0.84%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.69%	3.83%	3.37%	2.41%	1.46%	1.22%	1.77%	2.24%	2.03%	1.66%	1.50%	1.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSTMX and VBIRX in my portfolio?

NSTMX and VBIRX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSTMX or VBIRX?

VBIRX has higher volatility (0.46%) compared to NSTMX (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSTMX dropped -9.50% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NSTMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.18), 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.