SOAIX vs. VWESX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SOAIX (Spirit of America Income Fund) and VWESX (Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - SOAIX is a Long-Term Bond fund managed by Spirit of America, while VWESX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, SOAIX returned 3.23%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for VWESX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SOAIX charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for VWESX.

Performance

SOAIX vs. VWESX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Spirit of America Income Fund (SOAIX) and Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VWESX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOAIX achieves a 1.19% return, which is significantly higher than VWESX's 0.54% return. Over the past 10 years, SOAIX has outperformed VWESX with an annualized return of 3.23%, while VWESX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.60% annualized return.

SOAIX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 1.19%
• 6M: 1.71%
• 1Y: 5.90%
• 3Y*: 5.77%
• 5Y*: 1.48%
• 10Y*: 3.23%

VWESX

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 1.37%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 6M: 0.83%
• 1Y: 5.97%
• 3Y*: 3.19%
• 5Y*: -2.72%
• 10Y*: 1.60%

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

SOAIX vs. VWESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SOAIX Spirit of America Income Fund	1.19%	6.50%	5.37%	6.91%	-12.68%	4.59%	5.96%	11.66%	-0.83%	7.53%
VWESX Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	0.54%	7.20%	-2.75%	9.30%	-25.62%	-3.14%	15.39%	20.44%	-6.26%	11.96%

Correlation

The correlation between SOAIX and VWESX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2009	0.79

The correlation between SOAIX and VWESX shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (10 years) to 0.88 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SOAIX vs. VWESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SOAIX

SOAIX Risk / Return Rank: 33
SOAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
SOAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
SOAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
SOAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
SOAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

VWESX

VWESX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VWESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
VWESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
VWESX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VWESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
VWESX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

SOAIX vs. VWESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Spirit of America Income Fund (SOAIX) and Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VWESX). 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.

	SOAIX	VWESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	0.80	+0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	1.19	+1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.14	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	1.20	+0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.23	2.98	+2.25

SOAIX vs. VWESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOAIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is higher than the VWESX Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOAIX and VWESX, 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

SOAIX vs. VWESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOAIX drawdown since its inception was -16.76%, smaller than the maximum VWESX drawdown of -36.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOAIX and VWESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOAIX	VWESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.76%	-36.34%	+19.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.16%	-5.12%	+1.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.76%	-13.36%	+6.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.76%	-34.48%	+17.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.76%	-36.34%	+19.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.78%	-19.05%	+17.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.09%	-6.75%	+3.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.19%	2.06%	-0.87%

Volatility

SOAIX vs. VWESX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Spirit of America Income Fund (SOAIX) is 1.14%, while Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VWESX) has a volatility of 1.97%. This indicates that SOAIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SOAIX	VWESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	1.97%	-0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	5.67%	-2.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.91%	7.72%	-3.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.04%	12.07%	-6.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.47%	10.86%	-5.39%

SOAIX vs. VWESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOAIX has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VWESX's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOAIX vs. VWESX - Dividend Comparison

SOAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.64%, more than VWESX's 5.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SOAIX Spirit of America Income Fund	6.64%	6.57%	5.41%	6.09%	8.05%	4.93%	3.79%	4.27%	4.71%	4.36%	4.42%	4.74%
VWESX Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	5.07%	4.95%	5.06%	4.55%	4.43%	4.51%	6.89%	5.01%	4.31%	5.50%	6.14%	7.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SOAIX and VWESX in my portfolio?

SOAIX and VWESX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SOAIX or VWESX?

VWESX has higher volatility (1.97%) compared to SOAIX (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOAIX dropped -16.76% vs VWESX's -36.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 0.80), 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.