VFSTX vs. VBTLX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VFSTX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Total Bond Market funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VFSTX returned 2.54%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBTLX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFSTX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBTLX.

Performance

VFSTX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFSTX achieves a 0.77% return, which is significantly higher than VBTLX's 0.42% return. Over the past 10 years, VFSTX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 2.54%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.

VFSTX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.77%
• 6M: 1.15%
• 1Y: 4.69%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.28%
• 10Y*: 2.54%

VBTLX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 4.05%
• 5Y*: 0.18%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

VFSTX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFSTX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	0.77%	6.75%	4.98%	6.06%	-5.84%	-0.70%	5.16%	5.75%	0.87%	2.02%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.42%	7.17%	1.26%	5.74%	-13.16%	-1.81%	7.72%	8.73%	-0.25%	3.56%

Correlation

The correlation between VFSTX and VBTLX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.81

The correlation between VFSTX and VBTLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFSTX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFSTX

VFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 61
VFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VFSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

VBTLX

VBTLX Risk / Return Rank: 20
VBTLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VBTLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VBTLX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
VBTLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VBTLX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

VFSTX vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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.

	VFSTX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	1.27	+0.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	1.91	+1.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.22	+0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	1.93	+1.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.96	5.84	+6.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFSTX vs. VBTLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is higher than the VBTLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFSTX and VBTLX, 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

	VFSTX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	1.27	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.03	+0.74
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.03	0.32	+0.71
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.51	0.76	+0.75

Drawdowns

VFSTX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFSTX drawdown since its inception was -9.35%, smaller than the maximum VBTLX drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSTX and VBTLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFSTX	VBTLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.35%	-18.81%	+9.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-2.89%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.71%	-6.00%	+4.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.35%	-18.14%	+8.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.35%	-18.81%	+9.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-2.18%	+1.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.12%	-2.67%	+1.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.43%	0.96%	-0.53%

Volatility

VFSTX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX) is 0.74%, while Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) has a volatility of 1.38%. This indicates that VFSTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFSTX	VBTLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.74%	1.38%	-0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.67%	2.80%	-1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31%	3.98%	-1.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.98%	6.01%	-3.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.48%	4.98%	-2.50%

VFSTX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFSTX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.05% 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

VFSTX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison

VFSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, more than VBTLX's 3.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.98%	3.87%	3.69%	3.10%	2.59%	1.96%	2.39%	2.74%	2.57%	2.56%	2.53%	2.82%
VFSTX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	4.61%	4.48%	4.06%	3.05%	1.93%	1.70%	2.24%	2.83%	2.68%	2.00%	2.04%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFSTX and VBTLX in my portfolio?

VFSTX and VBTLX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFSTX or VBTLX?

VBTLX has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to VFSTX (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFSTX dropped -9.35% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.27), 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.