VFSUX vs. VSTBX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VFSUX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares) and VSTBX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - VFSUX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VSTBX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VFSUX returned 2.60%/yr vs 2.99%/yr for VSTBX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFSUX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSTBX.

Performance

VFSUX vs. VSTBX - 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 Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFSUX achieves a 0.53% return, which is significantly lower than VSTBX's 0.73% return. Over the past 10 years, VFSUX has underperformed VSTBX with an annualized return of 2.60%, while VSTBX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.99% annualized return.

VFSUX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.53%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 4.40%
• 3Y*: 5.63%
• 5Y*: 2.38%
• 10Y*: 2.60%

VSTBX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 4.27%
• 3Y*: 5.73%
• 5Y*: 2.45%
• 10Y*: 2.99%

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

VFSUX vs. VSTBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFSUX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	0.53%	6.87%	5.08%	6.17%	-5.75%	-0.62%	5.26%	5.85%	0.98%	2.13%
VSTBX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.73%	6.75%	5.37%	6.17%	-5.73%	-0.41%	5.07%	9.68%	0.92%	2.48%

Correlation

The correlation between VFSUX and VSTBX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2009	0.82

The correlation between VFSUX and VSTBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFSUX vs. VSTBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFSUX

VFSUX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VFSUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VFSUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
VFSUX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VFSUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VFSUX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VSTBX

VSTBX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VSTBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VSTBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VSTBX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
VSTBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VSTBX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. VSTBX - 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 Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX). 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	VSTBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	2.48	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.31	3.79	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.49	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.59	3.35	-0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.04	13.18	-3.14

VFSUX vs. VSTBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFSUX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the VSTBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFSUX and VSTBX, 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. VSTBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFSUX drawdown since its inception was -9.24%, roughly equal to the maximum VSTBX drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSUX and VSTBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFSUX	VSTBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.24%	-9.34%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.71%	-1.31%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.71%	-1.31%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.24%	-9.34%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.24%	-9.34%	+0.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-0.24%	-0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-0.95%	+0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.44%	0.33%	+0.11%

Volatility

VFSUX vs. VSTBX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFSUX) has a higher volatility of 0.80% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX) at 0.66%. This indicates that VFSUX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSTBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFSUX	VSTBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.80%	0.66%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.73%	1.34%	+0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33%	1.78%	+0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.99%	2.72%	+0.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.49%	2.38%	+0.11%

VFSUX vs. VSTBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFSUX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTBX'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

VFSUX vs. VSTBX - Dividend Comparison

VFSUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.73%, more than VSTBX's 4.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFSUX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	4.73%	4.59%	4.16%	3.14%	2.03%	1.79%	2.34%	2.92%	2.79%	2.11%	2.14%	2.09%
VSTBX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.44%	4.34%	4.29%	3.09%	2.00%	1.80%	2.27%	5.40%	2.67%	2.27%	1.96%	2.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFSUX and VSTBX in my portfolio?

VFSUX and VSTBX have a correlation of 0.84, 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 VSTBX?

VFSUX has higher volatility (0.80%) compared to VSTBX (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFSUX dropped -9.24% vs VSTBX's -9.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.89), 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.