VBISX vs. SWSBX
VBISX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund) and SWSBX (Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, VBISX returned 1.35%/yr vs 1.21%/yr for SWSBX. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VBISX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SWSBX.
Performance
VBISX vs. SWSBX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBISX achieves a 0.10% return, which is significantly lower than SWSBX's 0.16% return.
VBISX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -0.29%
- 6M
- 0.06%
- YTD
- 0.10%
- 1Y
- 2.02%
- 3Y*
- 4.06%
- 5Y*
- 1.35%
- 10Y*
- 1.73%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.36%
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%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VBISX vs. SWSBX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBISX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund | 0.10% | 5.67% | 3.66% | 4.54% | -5.61% | -1.35% | 4.63% | 4.78% | 1.27% | 0.78% |
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% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBISX and SWSBX is 0.88, 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. | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.91 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2017 | 0.86 |
The correlation between VBISX and SWSBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VBISX vs. SWSBX — Risk / Return Rank
VBISX
SWSBX
VBISX vs. SWSBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX) and Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund (SWSBX). 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.
| VBISX | SWSBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.20 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.31 | 1.37 | -0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.58 | 3.86 | -0.28 |
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Drawdowns
VBISX vs. SWSBX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBISX drawdown since its inception was -8.79%, roughly equal to the maximum SWSBX drawdown of -9.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBISX and SWSBX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBISX | SWSBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.79% | -9.06% | +0.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.54% | -1.54% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.55% | -1.79% | +0.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -8.54% | -8.88% | +0.34% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -8.79% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.82% | -0.81% | -0.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.87% | -1.78% | +0.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.56% | 0.55% | +0.01% |
Volatility
VBISX vs. SWSBX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX) and Schwab Short-Term Bond Index Fund (SWSBX) have volatilities of 0.48% 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VBISX | SWSBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.48% | 0.50% | -0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.66% | 1.67% | -0.01% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.14% | 2.12% | +0.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.96% | 3.00% | -0.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.39% | 2.46% | -0.07% |
VBISX vs. SWSBX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBISX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SWSBX's 0.06% 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
VBISX vs. SWSBX - Dividend Comparison
VBISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.60%, less than SWSBX's 3.80% 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% |
VBISX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund | 3.60% | 3.44% | 3.29% | 2.10% | 1.38% | 1.16% | 1.72% | 2.16% | 1.92% | 1.58% | 1.42% | 1.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VBISX and SWSBX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SWSBX has higher volatility (0.50%) compared to VBISX (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBISX dropped -8.79% vs SWSBX's -9.06%.
SWSBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs 0.95), 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.
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