VFICX vs. VFSTX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VFICX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) and VFSTX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) are both Total Bond Market funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VFICX returned 2.68%/yr vs 2.54%/yr for VFSTX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.20% expense ratio.

Performance

VFICX vs. VFSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFICX) 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, VFICX achieves a 0.26% return, which is significantly lower than VFSTX's 0.77% return. Over the past 10 years, VFICX has outperformed VFSTX with an annualized return of 2.68%, while VFSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.54% annualized return.

VFICX

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 6.53%
• 3Y*: 6.02%
• 5Y*: 1.25%
• 10Y*: 2.68%

VFSTX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.77%
• 6M: 1.15%
• 1Y: 4.69%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.28%
• 10Y*: 2.54%

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

VFICX vs. VFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFICX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	0.26%	9.55%	3.21%	8.53%	-13.86%	-1.59%	10.33%	10.39%	-0.56%	4.17%
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 VFICX and VFSTX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 1993	0.85

The correlation between VFICX and VFSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFICX vs. VFSTX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFICX	VFSTX
Communication Services	100.0%	100.0%
Financial Services	0.4%	-
Real Estate	0.0%	0.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	100.0%
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-
Energy	-0.0%	-

Return for Risk

VFICX vs. VFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFICX

VFICX Risk / Return Rank: 26
VFICX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
VFICX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
VFICX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
VFICX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VFICX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VFSTX

VFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 61
VFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VFSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

VFICX vs. VFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFICX) 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.

	VFICX	VFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	2.00	-0.55
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	3.53	-1.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.45	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.05	3.04	-0.99
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.05	11.96	-4.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFICX vs. VFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFICX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the VFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFICX 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

	VFICX	VFSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45	2.00	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.77	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	1.03	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.97	1.51	-0.54

Drawdowns

VFICX vs. VFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFICX drawdown since its inception was -20.24%, which is greater than VFSTX's maximum drawdown of -9.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFICX and VFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFICX	VFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.24%	-9.35%	-10.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.34%	-1.71%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.10%	-1.71%	-4.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.24%	-9.35%	-10.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.24%	-9.35%	-10.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-0.26%	-0.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.49%	-1.12%	-1.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	0.43%	+0.54%

Volatility

VFICX vs. VFSTX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFICX) has a higher volatility of 1.55% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX) at 0.74%. This indicates that VFICX'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

	VFICX	VFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.55%	0.74%	+0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.12%	1.67%	+1.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.28%	2.31%	+1.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.39%	2.98%	+3.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.19%	2.48%	+2.71%

VFICX vs. VFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VFICX and VFSTX have an expense ratio of 0.20%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFICX vs. VFSTX - Dividend Comparison

VFICX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.99%, more than VFSTX's 4.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFICX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	4.99%	4.81%	4.57%	3.81%	3.09%	3.53%	5.70%	3.03%	3.20%	2.96%	3.84%	3.54%
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 VFICX and VFSTX in my portfolio?

VFICX and VFSTX 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.

Which is riskier, VFICX or VFSTX?

VFICX has higher volatility (1.55%) compared to VFSTX (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFICX dropped -20.24% vs VFSTX's -9.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.45), 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.