RCTIX vs. VBIRX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RCTIX (River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds. RCTIX is actively managed, while VBIRX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RCTIX returned 5.53%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for VBIRX. Their 0.41 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. RCTIX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBIRX.

Performance

RCTIX vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund (RCTIX) 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, RCTIX achieves a 1.55% return, which is significantly higher than VBIRX's 0.14% return. Over the past 10 years, RCTIX has outperformed VBIRX with an annualized return of 5.53%, while VBIRX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.85% annualized return.

RCTIX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.22%
• 6M: 1.97%
• YTD: 1.55%
• 1Y: 3.86%
• 3Y*: 7.18%
• 5Y*: 4.56%
• 10Y*: 5.53%
• ALL TIME*: 4.89%

VBIRX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.14%
• 1Y: 2.10%
• 3Y*: 4.40%
• 5Y*: 1.54%
• 10Y*: 1.85%
• ALL TIME*: 2.58%

*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)
RCTIX River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

RCTIX vs. VBIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RCTIX River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund	1.55%	7.75%	7.49%	10.02%	-4.07%	4.26%	6.42%	11.71%	1.82%	9.76%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.14%	6.09%	3.75%	4.87%	-5.63%	-1.20%	4.69%	4.86%	1.37%	1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between RCTIX and VBIRX is 0.73, 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.	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2015	0.41

Over the past year, RCTIX and VBIRX have become more correlated (0.73) than their long-term average of 0.41, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

RCTIX vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RCTIX

RCTIX Risk / Return Rank: 85
RCTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
RCTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
RCTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
RCTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
RCTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

VBIRX

VBIRX Risk / Return Rank: 57
VBIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VBIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VBIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VBIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VBIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

RCTIX vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund (RCTIX) 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.

	RCTIX	VBIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	1.37	+0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	2.28	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.27	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.67	1.98	+1.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.03	5.56	+6.46

RCTIX vs. VBIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RCTIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is higher than the VBIRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RCTIX 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

RCTIX vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RCTIX drawdown since its inception was -10.89%, which is greater than VBIRX's maximum drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RCTIX and VBIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RCTIX	VBIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.89%	-8.69%	-2.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.20%	-1.54%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.48%	-1.55%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.17%	-8.55%	+2.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-10.89%	-8.69%	-2.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.79%	+0.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.07%	-0.98%	-0.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.37%	0.55%	-0.18%

Volatility

RCTIX vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison

River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund (RCTIX) has a higher volatility of 0.66% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) at 0.46%. This indicates that RCTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RCTIX	VBIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.66%	0.46%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.81%	1.68%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34%	2.24%	+0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.50%	2.98%	-0.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.74%	2.40%	+1.34%

RCTIX vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RCTIX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIRX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

RCTIX vs. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison

RCTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.36%, more than VBIRX's 3.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RCTIX River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund	7.36%	7.31%	7.89%	8.50%	5.98%	3.02%	5.97%	4.97%	3.30%	4.89%	2.16%	0.00%
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 RCTIX and VBIRX in my portfolio?

RCTIX and VBIRX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RCTIX or VBIRX?

RCTIX has higher volatility (0.66%) compared to VBIRX (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RCTIX dropped -10.89% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RCTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.37), 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.