VFISX vs. VFITX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VFISX (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares) and VFITX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares) are both Government Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VFISX returned 1.61%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for VFITX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.20% expense ratio.

Performance

VFISX vs. VFITX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFISX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFITX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFISX achieves a 0.50% return, which is significantly higher than VFITX's -0.41% return. Over the past 10 years, VFISX has outperformed VFITX with an annualized return of 1.61%, while VFITX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.29% annualized return.

VFISX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.01%
• YTD: 0.50%
• 6M: 0.80%
• 1Y: 3.48%
• 3Y*: 4.05%
• 5Y*: 1.43%
• 10Y*: 1.61%

VFITX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: -0.27%
• YTD: -0.41%
• 6M: -0.38%
• 1Y: 3.74%
• 3Y*: 3.48%
• 5Y*: 0.07%
• 10Y*: 1.29%

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

VFISX vs. VFITX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFISX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares	0.50%	5.36%	3.75%	3.54%	-4.71%	-0.88%	3.95%	3.60%	1.36%	0.38%
VFITX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares	-0.41%	7.54%	1.39%	4.08%	-10.43%	-2.38%	8.20%	6.29%	1.01%	1.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VFISX and VFITX is 0.90, 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	0.90
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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 1991	0.84

The correlation between VFISX and VFITX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFISX vs. VFITX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFISX

VFISX Risk / Return Rank: 42
VFISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VFISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VFISX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VFISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VFISX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

VFITX

VFITX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VFITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VFITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VFITX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VFITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VFITX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

VFISX vs. VFITX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFISX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFITX). 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.

	VFISX	VFITX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	0.89	+0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	1.35	+1.50
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.15	+0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	1.28	+1.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.17	3.77	+5.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFISX vs. VFITX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFISX Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is higher than the VFITX Sharpe Ratio of 0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFISX and VFITX, 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

	VFISX	VFITX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	0.89	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.01	+0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.28	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.53	0.92	+0.61

Drawdowns

VFISX vs. VFITX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFISX drawdown since its inception was -6.86%, smaller than the maximum VFITX drawdown of -15.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFISX and VFITX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFISX	VFITX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-15.58%	+8.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.40%	-3.21%	+1.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.40%	-4.78%	+3.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.86%	-14.98%	+8.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.86%	-15.58%	+8.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-2.09%	+1.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.65%	-2.64%	+1.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.42%	1.09%	-0.67%

Volatility

VFISX vs. VFITX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFISX) is 0.60%, while Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFITX) has a volatility of 1.27%. This indicates that VFISX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFITX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFISX	VFITX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.60%	1.27%	-0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.52%	2.76%	-1.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06%	3.89%	-1.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.67%	5.63%	-2.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.11%	4.67%	-2.56%

VFISX vs. VFITX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VFISX and VFITX 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

VFISX vs. VFITX - Dividend Comparison

VFISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.74%, less than VFITX's 3.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFISX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares	3.74%	3.89%	4.38%	3.95%	1.93%	0.52%	2.20%	2.39%	2.10%	1.15%	1.18%	0.83%
VFITX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares	3.93%	3.90%	4.05%	3.45%	1.97%	0.99%	4.84%	2.30%	2.34%	1.75%	2.77%	2.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFISX and VFITX in my portfolio?

VFISX and VFITX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFISX or VFITX?

VFITX has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to VFISX (0.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFISX dropped -6.86% vs VFITX's -15.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 0.89), 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.