SWSBX vs. VSCSX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

SWSBX (Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund) and VSCSX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds - SWSBX tracks the Bloomberg US Government/Credit 1-5 Year Index while VSCSX tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SWSBX returned 1.21%/yr vs 2.36%/yr for VSCSX. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.06% expense ratio.

Performance

SWSBX vs. VSCSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund (SWSBX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SWSBX achieves a 0.16% return, which is significantly lower than VSCSX's 0.89% return.

SWSBX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -0.42%
• 6M: 0.02%
• YTD: 0.16%
• 1Y: 2.11%
• 3Y*: 4.01%
• 5Y*: 1.21%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 1.85%

VSCSX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -0.04%
• 6M: 0.56%
• YTD: 0.89%
• 1Y: 3.08%
• 3Y*: 5.51%
• 5Y*: 2.36%
• 10Y*: 2.67%
• ALL TIME*: 2.89%

*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)
SWSBX Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SWSBX vs. VSCSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWSBX Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund	0.16%	6.06%	3.42%	3.95%	-5.89%	-1.28%	4.47%	4.96%	1.34%	0.85%
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.89%	6.75%	5.36%	6.11%	-5.72%	-0.43%	5.06%	6.85%	0.88%	1.74%

Correlation

The correlation between SWSBX and VSCSX is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2017	0.83

The correlation between SWSBX and VSCSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWSBX vs. VSCSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWSBX

SWSBX Risk / Return Rank: 28
SWSBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
SWSBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
SWSBX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
SWSBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
SWSBX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

VSCSX

VSCSX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VSCSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VSCSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VSCSX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
VSCSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VSCSX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

SWSBX vs. VSCSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund (SWSBX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX). 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.

	SWSBX	VSCSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	1.85	-0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.59	2.66	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.35	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	2.34	-0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.86	8.94	-5.08

SWSBX vs. VSCSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWSBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is lower than the VSCSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWSBX and VSCSX, 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

SWSBX vs. VSCSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWSBX drawdown since its inception was -9.06%, roughly equal to the maximum VSCSX drawdown of -9.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWSBX and VSCSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWSBX	VSCSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.06%	-9.36%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.54%	-1.36%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.79%	-1.36%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.88%	-9.27%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-9.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	-0.18%	-0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.78%	-0.97%	-0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.55%	0.36%	+0.19%

Volatility

SWSBX vs. VSCSX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund (SWSBX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX) have volatilities of 0.50% and 0.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWSBX	VSCSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.50%	0.50%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.67%	1.43%	+0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12%	1.73%	+0.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.00%	2.73%	+0.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.46%	2.37%	+0.09%

SWSBX vs. VSCSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SWSBX and VSCSX have an expense ratio of 0.06%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SWSBX vs. VSCSX - Dividend Comparison

SWSBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.80%, less than VSCSX's 4.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWSBX Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund	3.80%	4.09%	3.66%	2.36%	1.11%	0.97%	1.82%	2.41%	2.12%	1.56%	0.00%	0.00%
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.44%	4.32%	4.27%	3.07%	1.98%	1.78%	2.25%	2.85%	2.66%	2.26%	1.93%	2.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWSBX and VSCSX in my portfolio?

SWSBX and VSCSX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWSBX or VSCSX?

VSCSX has higher volatility (0.50%) compared to SWSBX (0.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWSBX dropped -9.06% vs VSCSX's -9.36%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSCSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.00), 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.