VFSUX vs. HEQT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VFSUX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares) and HEQT (Simplify Hedged Equity ETF) are both funds - VFSUX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while HEQT is a Equity Hedged fund actively managed by Simplify. Over the past 3 years, VFSUX returned 5.63%/yr vs 12.95%/yr for HEQT. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VFSUX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for HEQT.

Performance

VFSUX vs. HEQT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFSUX) and Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFSUX achieves a 0.43% return, which is significantly lower than HEQT's 4.02% return.

VFSUX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 4.10%
• 3Y*: 5.63%
• 5Y*: 2.36%
• 10Y*: 2.58%

HEQT

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 4.02%
• 6M: 3.76%
• 1Y: 13.00%
• 3Y*: 12.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VFSUX vs. HEQT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VFSUX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	0.43%	6.87%	5.08%	6.17%	-5.75%	-0.10%
HEQT Simplify Hedged Equity ETF	4.02%	10.08%	18.30%	16.61%	-8.25%	2.11%

Correlation

The correlation between VFSUX and HEQT is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2021	0.15

The correlation between VFSUX and HEQT shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VFSUX vs. HEQT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFSUX

VFSUX Risk / Return Rank: 57
VFSUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VFSUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VFSUX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFSUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VFSUX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

HEQT

HEQT Risk / Return Rank: 63
HEQT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
HEQT Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
HEQT Omega Ratio Rank: 70
HEQT Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
HEQT Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

VFSUX vs. HEQT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFSUX) and Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT). 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.

	VFSUX	HEQT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.97	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	2.77	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.40	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	2.56	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.77	11.59	-1.81

VFSUX vs. HEQT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFSUX Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the HEQT Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFSUX and HEQT, 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

VFSUX vs. HEQT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFSUX drawdown since its inception was -9.24%, smaller than the maximum HEQT drawdown of -11.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSUX and HEQT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFSUX	HEQT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.24%	-11.51%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-5.09%	+3.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.71%	-10.57%	+8.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.24%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	-1.12%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-2.77%	+1.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.44%	1.12%	-0.68%

Volatility

VFSUX vs. HEQT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFSUX) is 0.79%, while Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT) has a volatility of 2.06%. This indicates that VFSUX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HEQT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFSUX	HEQT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.79%	2.06%	-1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.73%	5.49%	-3.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34%	6.64%	-4.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.00%	8.47%	-5.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.49%	8.47%	-5.98%

VFSUX vs. HEQT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFSUX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than HEQT's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFSUX vs. HEQT - Dividend Comparison

VFSUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, more than HEQT's 1.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HEQT Simplify Hedged Equity ETF	1.20%	1.19%	1.29%	4.10%	3.94%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VFSUX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	4.74%	4.59%	4.16%	3.14%	2.03%	1.79%	2.34%	2.92%	2.79%	2.11%	2.14%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFSUX and HEQT in my portfolio?

VFSUX and HEQT have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFSUX or HEQT?

HEQT has higher volatility (2.06%) compared to VFSUX (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFSUX dropped -9.24% vs HEQT's -11.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEQT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.85), 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.