VFIDX vs. VTIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFIDX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares) and VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFIDX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VTIAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, VFIDX returned 2.79%/yr vs 9.85%/yr for VTIAX. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. VFIDX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTIAX.

Performance

VFIDX vs. VTIAX - 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 Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFIDX achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than VTIAX's 15.40% return. Over the past 10 years, VFIDX has underperformed VTIAX with an annualized return of 2.79%, while VTIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.85% annualized return.

VFIDX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 6.64%
• 3Y*: 6.17%
• 5Y*: 1.43%
• 10Y*: 2.79%

VTIAX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 5.53%
• YTD: 15.40%
• 6M: 18.19%
• 1Y: 33.34%
• 3Y*: 19.78%
• 5Y*: 8.81%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

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

VFIDX vs. VTIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFIDX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	0.42%	9.67%	3.29%	8.63%	-13.77%	-1.51%	10.44%	10.50%	-0.44%	4.28%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	15.40%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	21.52%	-14.46%	27.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIDX and VTIAX is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2010	-0.02

The correlation between VFIDX and VTIAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (all time) to 0.41 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VFIDX vs. VTIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFIDX	VTIAX
Financial Services	0.4%	22.3%
Real Estate	0.0%	2.6%
Basic Materials	-	7.6%
Communication Services	-	4.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.0%
Healthcare	-	7.1%
Industrials	-	16.1%
Technology	-	18.1%
Utilities	-	3.2%
Energy	-0.0%	5.2%

Return for Risk

VFIDX vs. VTIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFIDX

VFIDX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VFIDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VFIDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
VFIDX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VFIDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VFIDX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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. VTIAX - 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 Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). 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.

	VFIDX	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	2.31	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	3.14	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.43	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	2.91	-0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.00	11.49	-4.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFIDX vs. VTIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is lower than the VTIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIDX and VTIAX, 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

	VFIDX	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	2.31	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.59	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.62	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.44	+0.44

Drawdowns

VFIDX vs. VTIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIDX drawdown since its inception was -20.14%, smaller than the maximum VTIAX drawdown of -35.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIDX and VTIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIDX	VTIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.14%	-35.83%	+15.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.34%	-11.28%	+7.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.08%	-13.13%	+7.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.14%	-29.56%	+9.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.14%	-35.83%	+15.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	0.00%	-1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.60%	-8.08%	+5.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	2.85%	-1.88%

Volatility

VFIDX vs. VTIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFIDX) is 1.56%, while Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) has a volatility of 4.80%. This indicates that VFIDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFIDX	VTIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.56%	4.80%	-3.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.12%	11.90%	-8.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.29%	14.22%	-9.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.39%	15.04%	-8.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.20%	15.93%	-10.73%

VFIDX vs. VTIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIDX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIAX's 0.09% 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. VTIAX - Dividend Comparison

VFIDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.09%, more than VTIAX's 2.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFIDX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	5.09%	4.91%	4.65%	3.90%	3.20%	3.61%	5.80%	3.13%	3.32%	3.06%	3.94%	3.64%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.60%	3.15%	3.33%	3.22%	3.04%	3.05%	2.10%	3.04%	3.16%	2.73%	2.93%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFIDX and VTIAX in my portfolio?

VFIDX and VTIAX have a correlation of 0.41, 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 VTIAX?

VTIAX has higher volatility (4.80%) compared to VFIDX (1.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIDX dropped -20.14% vs VTIAX's -35.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.59), 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.