VCPAX vs. VMSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCPAX (Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares) and VMSAX (Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VCPAX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VMSAX is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 3 years, VCPAX returned 5.43%/yr vs 7.92%/yr for VMSAX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCPAX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for VMSAX.

Performance

VCPAX vs. VMSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX) and Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VMSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCPAX achieves a 0.78% return, which is significantly lower than VMSAX's 1.19% return.

VCPAX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 0.78%
• 6M: 0.78%
• 1Y: 6.21%
• 3Y*: 5.43%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VMSAX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 1.19%
• 6M: 1.58%
• 1Y: 7.07%
• 3Y*: 7.92%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VCPAX vs. VMSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VCPAX Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares	0.78%	8.06%	2.95%	6.80%	-10.76%
VMSAX Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares	1.19%	9.08%	6.86%	10.53%	-8.42%

Correlation

The correlation between VCPAX and VMSAX is 0.85, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2022	0.86

The correlation between VCPAX and VMSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VCPAX vs. VMSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCPAX

VCPAX Risk / Return Rank: 37
VCPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
VCPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VCPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VCPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
VCPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

VMSAX

VMSAX Risk / Return Rank: 24
VMSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
VMSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VMSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
VMSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
VMSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

VCPAX vs. VMSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX) and Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VMSAX). 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.

	VCPAX	VMSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	0.05	+1.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	1.34	+1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	2.12	-0.79
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.35	0.13	+2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.52	2.07	+5.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCPAX vs. VMSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCPAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is higher than the VMSAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCPAX and VMSAX, 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

	VCPAX	VMSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	0.05	+1.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.07	+0.12

Drawdowns

VCPAX vs. VMSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCPAX drawdown since its inception was -17.25%, smaller than the maximum VMSAX drawdown of -54.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCPAX and VMSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCPAX	VMSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.25%	-54.84%	+37.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.65%	-54.84%	+52.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.71%	-54.84%	+49.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.03%	-0.02%	-1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.45%	-3.09%	-3.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	3.49%	-2.66%

Volatility

VCPAX vs. VMSAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX) has a higher volatility of 1.30% compared to Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VMSAX) at 0.95%. This indicates that VCPAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCPAX	VMSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.30%	0.95%	+0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.59%	112.84%	-110.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.59%	133.32%	-129.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.64%	64.31%	-58.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.64%	64.31%	-58.67%

VCPAX vs. VMSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCPAX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than VMSAX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCPAX vs. VMSAX - Dividend Comparison

VCPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.84%, less than VMSAX's 5.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VCPAX Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.84%	4.86%	5.19%	4.55%	3.26%	0.27%
VMSAX Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond Fund Admiral Shares	5.54%	5.66%	6.48%	5.52%	3.76%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCPAX and VMSAX in my portfolio?

VCPAX and VMSAX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCPAX or VMSAX?

VCPAX has higher volatility (1.30%) compared to VMSAX (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCPAX dropped -17.25% vs VMSAX's -54.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 0.05), 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.