VBTLX vs. FSTAX
VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and FSTAX (Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A) are both Total Bond Market funds. Over the past 10 years, VBTLX returned 1.58%/yr vs 4.02%/yr for FSTAX. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VBTLX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.97%/yr for FSTAX.
Performance
VBTLX vs. FSTAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBTLX achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than FSTAX's 3.19% return. Over the past 10 years, VBTLX has underperformed FSTAX with an annualized return of 1.58%, while FSTAX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.02% annualized return.
VBTLX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- 1Y
- 5.34%
- 3Y*
- 4.05%
- 5Y*
- 0.21%
- 10Y*
- 1.58%
FSTAX
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- 1.08%
- YTD
- 3.19%
- 6M
- 3.50%
- 1Y
- 9.60%
- 3Y*
- 7.53%
- 5Y*
- 2.83%
- 10Y*
- 4.02%
VBTLX vs. FSTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.42% | 7.17% | 1.26% | 5.74% | -13.16% | -1.81% | 7.72% | 8.73% | -0.25% | 3.56% |
FSTAX Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A | 3.19% | 8.68% | 4.93% | 8.82% | -11.98% | 3.22% | 7.21% | 10.74% | -2.94% | 7.63% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBTLX and FSTAX is 0.73, 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 | 0.73 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001 | 0.53 |
The correlation between VBTLX and FSTAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (all time) to 0.79 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VBTLX vs. FSTAX — Risk / Return Rank
VBTLX
FSTAX
VBTLX vs. FSTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) and Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A (FSTAX). 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.
| VBTLX | FSTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.59 | -0.35 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.86 | 3.74 | -1.88 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.58 | 16.22 | -10.64 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VBTLX | FSTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.36 | 2.81 | -1.45 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | 0.63 | -0.60 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 | 0.91 | -0.59 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.76 | 0.51 | +0.25 |
Drawdowns
VBTLX vs. FSTAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBTLX drawdown since its inception was -18.81%, smaller than the maximum FSTAX drawdown of -23.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBTLX and FSTAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBTLX | FSTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.81% | -23.29% | +4.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.89% | -2.65% | -0.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.00% | -4.04% | -1.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.14% | -16.18% | -1.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.81% | -16.18% | -2.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.18% | 0.00% | -2.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.67% | -4.83% | +2.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.96% | 0.61% | +0.35% |
Volatility
VBTLX vs. FSTAX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) and Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A (FSTAX) have volatilities of 1.38% and 1.35%, 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
| VBTLX | FSTAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.38% | 1.35% | +0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.80% | 2.89% | -0.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.97% | 3.54% | +0.43% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.01% | 4.49% | +1.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.98% | 4.44% | +0.54% |
VBTLX vs. FSTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBTLX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than FSTAX's 0.97% expense ratio.
Dividends
VBTLX vs. FSTAX - Dividend Comparison
VBTLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, which matches FSTAX's 4.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSTAX Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A | 4.01% | 4.05% | 3.21% | 3.70% | 2.70% | 4.01% | 4.32% | 4.06% | 3.50% | 3.70% | 3.49% | 2.89% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.98% | 3.87% | 3.69% | 3.10% | 2.59% | 1.96% | 2.39% | 2.74% | 2.57% | 2.56% | 2.53% | 2.82% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VBTLX and FSTAX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VBTLX has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to FSTAX (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBTLX dropped -18.81% vs FSTAX's -23.29%.
FSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 1.36), 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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