OSTIX vs. VFSTX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

OSTIX (Osterweis Strategic Income Fund) and VFSTX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - OSTIX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by Osterweis, while VFSTX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, OSTIX returned 5.08%/yr vs 2.50%/yr for VFSTX. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. OSTIX charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VFSTX.

Performance

OSTIX vs. VFSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Osterweis Strategic Income Fund (OSTIX) 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, OSTIX achieves a 1.77% return, which is significantly higher than VFSTX's 0.48% return. Over the past 10 years, OSTIX has outperformed VFSTX with an annualized return of 5.08%, while VFSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.50% annualized return.

OSTIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 1.77%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 4.75%
• 3Y*: 6.91%
• 5Y*: 4.27%
• 10Y*: 5.08%

VFSTX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 0.48%
• 6M: 0.86%
• 1Y: 4.28%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.28%
• 10Y*: 2.50%

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

OSTIX vs. VFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OSTIX Osterweis Strategic Income Fund	1.77%	4.04%	8.03%	12.29%	-5.94%	5.48%	9.01%	5.36%	-0.66%	6.00%
VFSTX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	0.48%	6.75%	4.98%	6.06%	-5.84%	-0.70%	5.16%	5.75%	0.87%	2.02%

Correlation

The correlation between OSTIX and VFSTX is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2002	0.14

Over the past year, OSTIX and VFSTX have become more correlated (0.35) than their long-term average of 0.14, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

OSTIX vs. VFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

OSTIX

OSTIX Risk / Return Rank: 89
OSTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
OSTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
OSTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
OSTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
OSTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VFSTX

VFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 57
VFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VFSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

OSTIX vs. VFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Osterweis Strategic Income Fund (OSTIX) 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.

	OSTIX	VFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.87	1.86	+1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.25	3.23	+1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.42	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	2.52	+0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.51	9.67	+5.84

OSTIX vs. VFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OSTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.87, which is higher than the VFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OSTIX 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

OSTIX vs. VFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OSTIX drawdown since its inception was -10.06%, which is greater than VFSTX's maximum drawdown of -9.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OSTIX and VFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	OSTIX	VFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.06%	-9.35%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.42%	-1.71%	+0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.27%	-1.71%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.75%	-9.35%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-10.06%	-9.35%	-0.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.55%	+0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.94%	-1.12%	+0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.31%	0.44%	-0.13%

Volatility

OSTIX vs. VFSTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Osterweis Strategic Income Fund (OSTIX) is 0.46%, while Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX) has a volatility of 0.79%. This indicates that OSTIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OSTIX	VFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.46%	0.79%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.36%	1.71%	-0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70%	2.31%	-0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.01%	2.98%	+0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.96%	2.48%	+0.48%

OSTIX vs. VFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

OSTIX has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSTX's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

OSTIX vs. VFSTX - Dividend Comparison

OSTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, more than VFSTX's 4.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OSTIX Osterweis Strategic Income Fund	4.74%	3.96%	5.25%	5.72%	4.72%	4.03%	3.85%	4.74%	4.66%	4.58%	5.23%	5.98%
VFSTX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	4.62%	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 OSTIX and VFSTX in my portfolio?

OSTIX and VFSTX have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OSTIX or VFSTX?

VFSTX has higher volatility (0.79%) compared to OSTIX (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OSTIX dropped -10.06% vs VFSTX's -9.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OSTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 1.86), 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.