RITGX vs. VFSIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RITGX (American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6) and VFSIX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - RITGX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by American Funds, while VFSIX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, RITGX returned 6.38%/yr vs 2.63%/yr for VFSIX. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RITGX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VFSIX.

Performance

RITGX vs. VFSIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6 (RITGX) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RITGX achieves a 2.35% return, which is significantly higher than VFSIX's 0.83% return. Over the past 10 years, RITGX has outperformed VFSIX with an annualized return of 6.38%, while VFSIX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.63% annualized return.

RITGX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.64%
• YTD: 2.35%
• 6M: 2.83%
• 1Y: 8.87%
• 3Y*: 9.95%
• 5Y*: 5.00%
• 10Y*: 6.38%

VFSIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.12%
• 1Y: 4.82%
• 3Y*: 5.55%
• 5Y*: 2.37%
• 10Y*: 2.63%

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

RITGX vs. VFSIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RITGX American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6	2.35%	8.69%	9.91%	12.54%	-10.10%	8.74%	7.44%	12.28%	-1.46%	7.70%
VFSIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares	0.83%	6.89%	5.12%	5.88%	-5.72%	-0.59%	5.28%	5.88%	1.00%	2.15%

Correlation

The correlation between RITGX and VFSIX is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2010	0.27

Over the past year, RITGX and VFSIX have become more correlated (0.53) than their long-term average of 0.27, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

RITGX vs. VFSIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RITGX

RITGX Risk / Return Rank: 86
RITGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
RITGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
RITGX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
RITGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
RITGX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VFSIX

VFSIX Risk / Return Rank: 62
VFSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VFSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VFSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VFSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VFSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

RITGX vs. VFSIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6 (RITGX) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX). 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.

	RITGX	VFSIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	2.08	+0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.62	3.71	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.47	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.74	2.84	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.92	11.24	+5.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RITGX vs. VFSIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RITGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is comparable to the VFSIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RITGX and VFSIX, 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

	RITGX	VFSIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61	2.08	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00	0.80	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.16	1.06	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.21	1.53	-0.33

Drawdowns

RITGX vs. VFSIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RITGX drawdown since its inception was -21.20%, which is greater than VFSIX's maximum drawdown of -9.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RITGX and VFSIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RITGX	VFSIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.20%	-9.21%	-11.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.41%	-1.71%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.92%	-1.71%	-2.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.75%	-9.21%	-4.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.20%	-9.21%	-11.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.23%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.23%	-0.79%	-1.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.53%	0.43%	+0.10%

Volatility

RITGX vs. VFSIX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6 (RITGX) has a higher volatility of 1.17% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX) at 0.75%. This indicates that RITGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFSIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RITGX	VFSIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	0.75%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.66%	1.67%	+0.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.46%	2.33%	+1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.03%	2.99%	+2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.52%	2.49%	+3.03%

RITGX vs. VFSIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RITGX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSIX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

RITGX vs. VFSIX - Dividend Comparison

RITGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.64%, more than VFSIX's 4.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RITGX American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6	6.64%	6.63%	6.66%	6.80%	4.50%	4.65%	6.19%	6.56%	6.68%	6.36%	5.36%	7.29%
VFSIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares	4.74%	4.61%	4.19%	2.88%	2.06%	1.81%	2.35%	2.95%	2.80%	2.13%	2.17%	2.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RITGX and VFSIX in my portfolio?

RITGX and VFSIX have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RITGX or VFSIX?

RITGX has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to VFSIX (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RITGX dropped -21.20% vs VFSIX's -9.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RITGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.08), 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.