VFIDX vs. VCSH

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VFIDX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares) and VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both funds - VFIDX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VCSH is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, VFIDX returned 2.74%/yr vs 2.70%/yr for VCSH. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFIDX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCSH.

Performance

VFIDX vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFIDX achieves a 0.31% return, which is significantly lower than VCSH's 0.80% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFIDX having a 2.74% annualized return and VCSH not far behind at 2.70%.

VFIDX

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 1.13%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 6M: 0.95%
• 1Y: 6.15%
• 3Y*: 6.25%
• 5Y*: 1.21%
• 10Y*: 2.74%

VCSH

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 0.80%
• 6M: 1.22%
• 1Y: 4.60%
• 3Y*: 5.69%
• 5Y*: 2.33%
• 10Y*: 2.70%

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

VFIDX vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFIDX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	0.31%	9.67%	3.29%	8.63%	-13.77%	-1.51%	10.44%	10.50%	-0.44%	4.28%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.80%	6.77%	4.91%	6.20%	-5.62%	-0.63%	5.13%	7.02%	0.92%	2.17%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIDX and VCSH is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009	0.73

The correlation between VFIDX and VCSH shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (all time) to 0.87 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VFIDX vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFIDX

VFIDX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VFIDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
VFIDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VFIDX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VFIDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VFIDX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

VCSH

VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 82
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VFIDX vs. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VFIDX	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	2.37	-0.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	3.71	-1.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.47	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	3.18	-1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.17	12.95	-6.78

VFIDX vs. VCSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is lower than the VCSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIDX and VCSH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VFIDX vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIDX drawdown since its inception was -20.14%, which is greater than VCSH's maximum drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIDX and VCSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIDX	VCSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.14%	-12.86%	-7.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.34%	-1.40%	-1.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.08%	-1.40%	-4.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.14%	-9.48%	-10.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.14%	-12.86%	-7.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-0.17%	-1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.60%	-0.97%	-1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.00%	0.34%	+0.66%

Volatility

VFIDX vs. VCSH - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFIDX) has a higher volatility of 1.56% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) at 0.66%. This indicates that VFIDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFIDX	VCSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.56%	0.66%	+0.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.20%	1.42%	+1.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.26%	1.88%	+2.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.40%	2.88%	+3.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.20%	3.35%	+1.85%

VFIDX vs. VCSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIDX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VCSH's 0.04% 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

VFIDX vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison

VFIDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.10%, more than VCSH's 4.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.45%	4.35%	3.96%	3.09%	2.01%	1.81%	2.27%	2.87%	2.65%	2.26%	2.10%	2.08%
VFIDX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	5.10%	4.91%	4.65%	3.90%	3.20%	3.61%	5.80%	3.13%	3.32%	3.06%	3.94%	3.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFIDX and VCSH in my portfolio?

VFIDX and VCSH have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFIDX or VCSH?

VFIDX has higher volatility (1.56%) compared to VCSH (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIDX dropped -20.14% vs VCSH's -12.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 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.