VFSAX vs. VFISX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

VFSAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VFISX (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - VFSAX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VFISX is a Government Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VFSAX returned 5.63%/yr vs 1.52%/yr for VFISX. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VFSAX charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VFISX.

Performance

VFSAX vs. VFISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFISX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFSAX achieves a 7.76% return, which is significantly higher than VFISX's 0.61% return.

VFSAX

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: -2.56%
• 6M: 3.58%
• YTD: 7.76%
• 1Y: 17.66%
• 3Y*: 14.00%
• 5Y*: 5.63%
• 10Y*: —

VFISX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.11%
• 6M: 0.71%
• YTD: 0.61%
• 1Y: 3.16%
• 3Y*: 4.16%
• 5Y*: 1.52%
• 10Y*: 1.61%

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

VFSAX vs. VFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.76%	29.89%	2.58%	15.13%	-21.30%	12.68%	11.90%	13.47%
VFISX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares	0.61%	5.36%	3.75%	3.54%	-4.71%	-0.88%	3.95%	3.49%

Correlation

The correlation between VFSAX and VFISX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.09

Over the past year, VFSAX and VFISX have become more correlated (0.29) than their long-term average of 0.09, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VFSAX vs. VFISX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFSAX

VFSAX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VFSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VFSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
VFSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VFSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VFSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

VFISX

VFISX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VFISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VFISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VFISX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VFISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VFISX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

VFSAX vs. VFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFISX). 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.

	VFSAX	VFISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	1.65	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	2.79	-1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.34	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.58	2.41	-0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.46	7.37	-1.91

VFSAX vs. VFISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is comparable to the VFISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFSAX and VFISX, 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

VFSAX vs. VFISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFSAX drawdown since its inception was -39.86%, which is greater than VFISX's maximum drawdown of -6.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSAX and VFISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFSAX	VFISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.86%	-6.86%	-33.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-1.40%	-10.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.73%	-1.40%	-13.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.81%	-6.75%	-27.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-6.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.58%	-0.37%	-4.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.17%	-0.65%	-8.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	0.46%	+2.85%

Volatility

VFSAX vs. VFISX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) has a higher volatility of 4.94% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFISX) at 0.65%. This indicates that VFSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFISX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFSAX	VFISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.94%	0.65%	+4.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.75%	1.57%	+11.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.51%	2.05%	+12.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.25%	2.68%	+12.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.06%	2.12%	+14.94%

VFSAX vs. VFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFSAX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than VFISX's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFSAX vs. VFISX - Dividend Comparison

VFSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.17%, less than VFISX's 3.74% 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%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.17%	3.31%	3.36%	3.06%	2.22%	2.67%	1.85%	3.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFSAX and VFISX in my portfolio?

VFSAX and VFISX have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFSAX or VFISX?

VFSAX has higher volatility (4.94%) compared to VFISX (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFSAX dropped -39.86% vs VFISX's -6.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.25), 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.