VFITX vs. VEMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFITX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares) and VEMAX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFITX is a Government Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while VEMAX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VFITX returned 1.29%/yr vs 9.04%/yr for VEMAX. At a correlation of -0.20, they often move in opposite directions. VFITX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VEMAX.

Performance

VFITX vs. VEMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFITX achieves a -0.41% return, which is significantly lower than VEMAX's 13.97% return. Over the past 10 years, VFITX has underperformed VEMAX with an annualized return of 1.29%, while VEMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.04% annualized return.

VFITX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: -0.41%
• 6M: -0.48%
• 1Y: 3.85%
• 3Y*: 3.48%
• 5Y*: 0.11%
• 10Y*: 1.29%

VEMAX

• 1D: 1.58%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 13.97%
• 6M: 15.57%
• 1Y: 32.68%
• 3Y*: 18.62%
• 5Y*: 5.62%
• 10Y*: 9.04%

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

VFITX vs. VEMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.97%	24.76%	11.34%	8.82%	-17.79%	0.85%	15.24%	20.29%	-14.59%	31.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VFITX and VEMAX is 0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.07
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2006	-0.20

The correlation between VFITX and VEMAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (all time) to 0.10 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VFITX vs. VEMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFITX

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

VEMAX

VEMAX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VEMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VEMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VEMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VEMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VEMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

VFITX vs. VEMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFITX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX). 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.

	VFITX	VEMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	2.31	-1.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.48	3.18	-1.70
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.42	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	3.00	-1.83
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.43	11.18	-7.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFITX vs. VEMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFITX Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the VEMAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFITX and VEMAX, 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

	VFITX	VEMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97	2.31	-1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02	0.37	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.55	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	0.30	+0.63

Drawdowns

VFITX vs. VEMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFITX drawdown since its inception was -15.58%, smaller than the maximum VEMAX drawdown of -66.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFITX and VEMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFITX	VEMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.58%	-66.45%	+50.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.21%	-11.05%	+7.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.78%	-15.78%	+11.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.98%	-32.55%	+17.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.58%	-36.11%	+20.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.09%	0.00%	-2.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.64%	-16.12%	+13.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	2.96%	-1.87%

Volatility

VFITX vs. VEMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFITX) is 1.27%, while Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) has a volatility of 5.01%. This indicates that VFITX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFITX	VEMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	5.01%	-3.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.76%	11.80%	-9.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.88%	14.31%	-10.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.63%	15.38%	-9.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.66%	16.46%	-11.80%

VFITX vs. VEMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFITX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VEMAX's 0.14% 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

VFITX vs. VEMAX - Dividend Comparison

VFITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.93%, more than VEMAX's 2.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.34%	2.74%	3.13%	3.47%	4.05%	2.57%	1.87%	3.20%	2.85%	2.31%	2.51%	3.25%
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 VFITX and VEMAX in my portfolio?

VFITX and VEMAX have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFITX or VEMAX?

VEMAX has higher volatility (5.01%) compared to VFITX (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFITX dropped -15.58% vs VEMAX's -66.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 0.97), 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.