RFRAX vs. VSBSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFRAX (Columbia Floating Rate Fund) and VSBSX (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - RFRAX is a Bank Loan fund managed by Columbia, while VSBSX is a Government Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, RFRAX returned 4.34%/yr vs 1.75%/yr for VSBSX. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. RFRAX charges 1.02%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSBSX.

Performance

RFRAX vs. VSBSX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFRAX achieves a 1.46% return, which is significantly higher than VSBSX's 0.51% return. Over the past 10 years, RFRAX has outperformed VSBSX with an annualized return of 4.34%, while VSBSX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.75% annualized return.

RFRAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 1.46%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 5.25%
• 3Y*: 7.00%
• 5Y*: 4.60%
• 10Y*: 4.34%

VSBSX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 0.51%
• 6M: 0.78%
• 1Y: 3.46%
• 3Y*: 4.28%
• 5Y*: 1.87%
• 10Y*: 1.75%

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

RFRAX vs. VSBSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFRAX Columbia Floating Rate Fund	1.46%	5.83%	6.55%	11.01%	-2.90%	4.53%	1.03%	7.60%	0.08%	3.82%
VSBSX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.51%	5.08%	4.39%	4.23%	-3.87%	-0.69%	3.09%	3.51%	1.52%	0.35%

Correlation

The correlation between RFRAX and VSBSX is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	-0.06

Return for Risk

RFRAX vs. VSBSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFRAX

RFRAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
RFRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
RFRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
RFRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
RFRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
RFRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VSBSX

VSBSX Risk / Return Rank: 86
VSBSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VSBSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VSBSX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VSBSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VSBSX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

RFRAX vs. VSBSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Floating Rate Fund (RFRAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX). 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.

	RFRAX	VSBSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.68	-0.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.18	4.40	+0.79
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.76	1.57	+0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	4.09	-1.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.65	16.89	-6.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFRAX vs. VSBSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFRAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the VSBSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFRAX and VSBSX, 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

	RFRAX	VSBSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.68	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.75	0.96	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.14	1.14	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	1.07	+0.03

Drawdowns

RFRAX vs. VSBSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFRAX drawdown since its inception was -33.04%, which is greater than VSBSX's maximum drawdown of -5.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFRAX and VSBSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFRAX	VSBSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.04%	-5.77%	-27.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.72%	-0.84%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.57%	-0.84%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.90%	-5.77%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.74%	-5.77%	-15.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.21%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.26%	-0.59%	-1.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	0.20%	+0.29%

Volatility

RFRAX vs. VSBSX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Floating Rate Fund (RFRAX) has a higher volatility of 0.51% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX) at 0.37%. This indicates that RFRAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSBSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFRAX	VSBSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.51%	0.37%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.73%	0.87%	+0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25%	1.28%	+0.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.64%	1.95%	+0.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.82%	1.54%	+2.28%

RFRAX vs. VSBSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFRAX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is higher than VSBSX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFRAX vs. VSBSX - Dividend Comparison

RFRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.51%, more than VSBSX's 3.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RFRAX Columbia Floating Rate Fund	6.51%	6.81%	6.62%	7.60%	4.44%	3.08%	3.44%	4.82%	4.41%	3.52%	3.85%	4.10%
VSBSX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.84%	3.98%	4.50%	3.29%	1.12%	0.63%	1.72%	2.26%	1.80%	1.10%	0.76%	0.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFRAX and VSBSX in my portfolio?

RFRAX and VSBSX have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFRAX or VSBSX?

RFRAX has higher volatility (0.51%) compared to VSBSX (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFRAX dropped -33.04% vs VSBSX's -5.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSBSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 2.34), 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.