VCIT vs. VFSTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VFSTX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) are both funds - VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays U.S. 5-10 Year Corp Index, while VFSTX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VCIT returned 2.93%/yr vs 2.54%/yr for VFSTX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCIT charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VFSTX.

Performance

VCIT vs. VFSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCIT achieves a 0.18% return, which is significantly lower than VFSTX's 0.77% return. Over the past 10 years, VCIT has outperformed VFSTX with an annualized return of 2.93%, while VFSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.54% annualized return.

VCIT

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 0.18%
• 6M: 0.07%
• 1Y: 6.13%
• 3Y*: 6.00%
• 5Y*: 1.22%
• 10Y*: 2.93%

VFSTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 0.77%
• 6M: 1.05%
• 1Y: 4.69%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 2.54%

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

VCIT vs. VFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.18%	9.34%	3.20%	8.98%	-13.98%	-1.77%	9.46%	14.10%	-1.74%	5.31%
VFSTX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	0.77%	6.75%	4.98%	6.06%	-5.84%	-0.70%	5.16%	5.75%	0.87%	2.02%

Correlation

The correlation between VCIT and VFSTX is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.72

The correlation between VCIT and VFSTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (all time) to 0.82 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCIT vs. VFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCIT

VCIT Risk / Return Rank: 42
VCIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VCIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VCIT Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VCIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VCIT Martin Ratio Rank: 42

VFSTX

VFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VFSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

VCIT vs. VFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX). 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.

	VCIT	VFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	2.04	-0.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	3.61	-1.39
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.46	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.08	2.76	-0.68
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.95	10.82	-3.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCIT vs. VFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the VFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCIT and VFSTX, 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

	VCIT	VFSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	2.04	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.78	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	1.03	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	1.51	-0.76

Drawdowns

VCIT vs. VFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCIT drawdown since its inception was -20.56%, which is greater than VFSTX's maximum drawdown of -9.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIT and VFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCIT	VFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.56%	-9.35%	-11.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.96%	-1.71%	-1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.11%	-1.71%	-4.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.56%	-9.35%	-11.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.56%	-9.35%	-11.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-0.26%	-1.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.16%	-1.12%	-2.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	0.43%	+0.45%

Volatility

VCIT vs. VFSTX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) has a higher volatility of 1.38% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX) at 0.74%. This indicates that VCIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCIT	VFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	0.74%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.06%	1.65%	+1.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.10%	2.31%	+1.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.61%	2.98%	+3.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.28%	2.48%	+3.80%

VCIT vs. VFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCIT has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VFSTX's 0.20% 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

VCIT vs. VFSTX - Dividend Comparison

VCIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.80%, more than VFSTX's 4.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.80%	4.62%	4.43%	3.72%	3.03%	2.87%	2.78%	3.37%	3.61%	3.21%	3.29%	3.34%
VFSTX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	4.61%	4.48%	4.06%	3.05%	1.93%	1.70%	2.24%	2.83%	2.68%	2.00%	2.04%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCIT and VFSTX in my portfolio?

VCIT and VFSTX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCIT or VFSTX?

VCIT has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to VFSTX (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIT dropped -20.56% vs VFSTX's -9.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.50), 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.