VFSIX vs. VSGDX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VFSIX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares) and VSGDX (Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares) are both Total Bond Market funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VFSIX returned 2.63%/yr vs 1.91%/yr for VSGDX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFSIX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VSGDX.

Performance

VFSIX vs. VSGDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFSIX achieves a 0.83% return, which is significantly higher than VSGDX's 0.64% return. Over the past 10 years, VFSIX has outperformed VSGDX with an annualized return of 2.63%, while VSGDX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.91% annualized return.

VFSIX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.22%
• 1Y: 4.82%
• 3Y*: 5.55%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 2.63%

VSGDX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.97%
• 1Y: 4.01%
• 3Y*: 4.53%
• 5Y*: 1.69%
• 10Y*: 1.91%

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

VFSIX vs. VSGDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFSIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares	0.83%	6.89%	5.12%	5.88%	-5.72%	-0.59%	5.28%	5.88%	1.00%	2.15%
VSGDX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares	0.64%	5.94%	4.26%	3.92%	-5.22%	-0.58%	4.46%	4.21%	1.37%	0.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VFSIX and VSGDX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2001	0.79

The correlation between VFSIX and VSGDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFSIX vs. VSGDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFSIX

VFSIX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VFSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VFSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VFSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VFSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VFSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

VSGDX

VSGDX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VSGDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VSGDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VSGDX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VSGDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VSGDX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

VFSIX vs. VSGDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX). 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.

	VFSIX	VSGDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	1.82	+0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	3.17	+0.46
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.38	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.13	3.23	-0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.42	11.62	+0.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFSIX vs. VSGDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFSIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the VSGDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFSIX and VSGDX, 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

	VFSIX	VSGDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	1.82	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.63	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.06	0.88	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.53	1.24	+0.29

Drawdowns

VFSIX vs. VSGDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFSIX drawdown since its inception was -9.21%, which is greater than VSGDX's maximum drawdown of -7.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSIX and VSGDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFSIX	VSGDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.21%	-7.29%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-1.35%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.71%	-1.35%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.21%	-7.29%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.21%	-7.29%	-1.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-0.38%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.79%	-0.73%	-0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.43%	0.37%	+0.06%

Volatility

VFSIX vs. VSGDX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) have volatilities of 0.75% and 0.72%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFSIX	VSGDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	0.72%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.69%	1.58%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33%	2.16%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.99%	2.68%	+0.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.49%	2.17%	+0.32%

VFSIX vs. VSGDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFSIX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VSGDX's 0.10% 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

VFSIX vs. VSGDX - Dividend Comparison

VFSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, more than VSGDX's 3.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFSIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares	4.74%	4.61%	4.19%	2.88%	2.06%	1.81%	2.35%	2.95%	2.80%	2.13%	2.17%	2.12%
VSGDX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares	3.95%	3.79%	3.56%	3.42%	1.78%	1.45%	1.78%	2.42%	2.02%	1.46%	1.43%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFSIX and VSGDX in my portfolio?

VFSIX and VSGDX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFSIX or VSGDX?

VFSIX has higher volatility (0.75%) compared to VSGDX (0.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFSIX dropped -9.21% vs VSGDX's -7.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.82), 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.