SWYLX vs. VFSIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SWYLX (Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund) and VFSIX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - SWYLX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Charles Schwab, while VFSIX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, SWYLX returned 5.44%/yr vs 2.37%/yr for VFSIX. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SWYLX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VFSIX.

Performance

SWYLX vs. VFSIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund (SWYLX) 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, SWYLX achieves a 5.77% return, which is significantly higher than VFSIX's 0.83% return.

SWYLX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 2.52%
• YTD: 5.77%
• 6M: 5.89%
• 1Y: 14.58%
• 3Y*: 11.09%
• 5Y*: 5.44%
• 10Y*: —

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)

SWYLX vs. VFSIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWYLX Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund	5.77%	12.23%	8.03%	13.15%	-13.79%	8.06%	11.04%	16.21%	-3.08%	12.11%
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 SWYLX and VFSIX is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2016	0.28

Over the past year, SWYLX and VFSIX have become more correlated (0.50) than their long-term average of 0.28, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

SWYLX vs. VFSIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWYLX

SWYLX Risk / Return Rank: 74
SWYLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SWYLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SWYLX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
SWYLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SWYLX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

SWYLX vs. VFSIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund (SWYLX) 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.

	SWYLX	VFSIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.08	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.62	3.71	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.47	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	2.84	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.35	11.24	+3.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWYLX vs. VFSIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYLX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the VFSIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYLX 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

	SWYLX	VFSIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.08	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.80	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.06	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	1.53	-0.71

Drawdowns

SWYLX vs. VFSIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYLX drawdown since its inception was -20.63%, which is greater than VFSIX's maximum drawdown of -9.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYLX and VFSIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWYLX	VFSIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.63%	-9.21%	-11.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.70%	-1.71%	-2.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.02%	-1.71%	-5.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.63%	-9.21%	-11.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-9.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.23%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.48%	-0.79%	-2.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.43%	+0.61%

Volatility

SWYLX vs. VFSIX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund (SWYLX) has a higher volatility of 2.01% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX) at 0.75%. This indicates that SWYLX'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

	SWYLX	VFSIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.01%	0.75%	+1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.78%	1.67%	+3.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.94%	2.33%	+3.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.45%	2.99%	+5.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.25%	2.49%	+5.76%

SWYLX vs. VFSIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWYLX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VFSIX's 0.07% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SWYLX vs. VFSIX - Dividend Comparison

SWYLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.39%, more than VFSIX's 4.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SWYLX Schwab Target 2020 Index Fund	5.39%	5.70%	4.82%	2.61%	2.48%	2.44%	1.77%	2.12%	2.29%	1.21%	0.67%	0.00%
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 SWYLX and VFSIX in my portfolio?

SWYLX and VFSIX have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWYLX or VFSIX?

SWYLX has higher volatility (2.01%) compared to VFSIX (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYLX dropped -20.63% vs VFSIX's -9.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWYLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 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.