VASGX vs. BSV

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VASGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund) and BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) are both funds - VASGX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard, while BSV is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. VASGX is actively managed, while BSV is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VASGX returned 10.71%/yr vs 1.96%/yr for BSV. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. VASGX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BSV.

Performance

VASGX vs. BSV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VASGX achieves a 10.11% return, which is significantly higher than BSV's 0.37% return. Over the past 10 years, VASGX has outperformed BSV with an annualized return of 10.71%, while BSV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.96% annualized return.

VASGX

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 3.18%
• YTD: 10.11%
• 6M: 10.76%
• 1Y: 24.24%
• 3Y*: 17.63%
• 5Y*: 8.85%
• 10Y*: 10.71%

BSV

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 0.37%
• 6M: 0.68%
• 1Y: 3.51%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: 1.63%
• 10Y*: 1.96%

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

VASGX vs. BSV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund	10.11%	19.65%	12.95%	18.76%	-17.21%	14.35%	15.45%	23.14%	-6.89%	19.21%
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	0.37%	6.00%	3.78%	4.90%	-5.49%	-1.09%	4.70%	4.98%	1.34%	1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between VASGX and BSV is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007	-0.08

The correlation between VASGX and BSV shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (all time) to 0.32 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VASGX vs. BSV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VASGX

VASGX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VASGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VASGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VASGX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VASGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VASGX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

BSV

BSV Risk / Return Rank: 61
BSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
BSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
BSV Omega Ratio Rank: 63
BSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
BSV 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.

VASGX vs. BSV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV). 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.

	VASGX	BSV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	1.97	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.14	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.37	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	2.74	+0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.35	9.60	+3.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VASGX vs. BSV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VASGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is comparable to the BSV Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VASGX and BSV, 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

	VASGX	BSV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	1.97	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.60	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.83	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.85	-0.27

Drawdowns

VASGX vs. BSV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VASGX drawdown since its inception was -51.16%, which is greater than BSV's maximum drawdown of -8.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VASGX and BSV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VASGX	BSV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.16%	-8.54%	-42.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.17%	-1.29%	-6.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.89%	-1.53%	-11.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.43%	-8.54%	-15.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.53%	-8.54%	-19.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-0.55%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.25%	-0.97%	-6.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	0.37%	+1.48%

Volatility

VASGX vs. BSV - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) has a higher volatility of 3.22% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) at 0.53%. This indicates that VASGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BSV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VASGX	BSV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.22%	0.53%	+2.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.29%	1.26%	+7.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.36%	1.81%	+8.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.77%	2.72%	+10.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.48%	2.37%	+11.11%

VASGX vs. BSV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VASGX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is higher than BSV's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VASGX vs. BSV - Dividend Comparison

VASGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.72%, less than BSV's 3.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	3.99%	3.83%	3.38%	2.46%	1.50%	1.45%	1.79%	2.29%	1.99%	1.65%	1.48%	1.40%
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund	3.72%	4.09%	6.15%	3.00%	2.10%	3.54%	3.54%	2.34%	4.36%	2.13%	2.23%	4.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VASGX and BSV in my portfolio?

VASGX and BSV have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VASGX or BSV?

VASGX has higher volatility (3.22%) compared to BSV (0.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VASGX dropped -51.16% vs BSV's -8.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VASGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.97), 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.