VFTAX vs. VBIRX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VFTAX (Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFTAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the FTSE US Choice Index, while VBIRX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VFTAX returned 12.61%/yr vs 1.61%/yr for VBIRX. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VFTAX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIRX.

Performance

VFTAX vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFTAX achieves a 7.79% return, which is significantly higher than VBIRX's 0.30% return.

VFTAX

• 1D: 1.92%
• 1M: -1.28%
• YTD: 7.79%
• 6M: 8.33%
• 1Y: 24.72%
• 3Y*: 21.32%
• 5Y*: 12.61%
• 10Y*: —

VBIRX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 0.30%
• 6M: 0.83%
• 1Y: 3.74%
• 3Y*: 4.45%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 1.91%

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

VFTAX vs. VBIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VFTAX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.79%	17.25%	25.97%	31.78%	-24.22%	27.70%	22.63%	23.59%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.30%	6.09%	3.75%	4.87%	-5.63%	-1.20%	4.69%	4.46%

Correlation

The correlation between VFTAX and VBIRX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.03

The correlation between VFTAX and VBIRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.03 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VFTAX vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFTAX

VFTAX Risk / Return Rank: 50
VFTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VFTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VFTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
VFTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VFTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

VBIRX

VBIRX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VBIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VBIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VBIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VBIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VBIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

VFTAX vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). 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.

	VFTAX	VBIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	1.66	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.81	-0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.33	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	2.43	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.34	7.64	+0.70

VFTAX vs. VBIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFTAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the VBIRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFTAX and VBIRX, 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

VFTAX vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFTAX drawdown since its inception was -34.20%, which is greater than VBIRX's maximum drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFTAX and VBIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFTAX	VBIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.20%	-8.69%	-25.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.84%	-1.54%	-10.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.18%	-1.55%	-18.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.12%	-8.64%	-20.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-8.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.47%	-0.63%	-2.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.26%	-0.99%	-5.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	0.49%	+2.35%

Volatility

VFTAX vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFTAX) has a higher volatility of 5.12% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) at 0.72%. This indicates that VFTAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFTAX	VBIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.12%	0.72%	+4.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.00%	1.61%	+9.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.88%	2.26%	+11.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.45%	2.97%	+15.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.79%	2.40%	+18.39%

VFTAX vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFTAX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIRX's 0.07% 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

VFTAX vs. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison

VFTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, less than VBIRX's 3.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.99%	3.83%	3.37%	2.41%	1.46%	1.22%	1.77%	2.24%	2.03%	1.66%	1.50%	1.41%
VFTAX Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.82%	0.85%	0.99%	1.10%	1.34%	0.94%	1.21%	1.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFTAX and VBIRX in my portfolio?

VFTAX and VBIRX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFTAX or VBIRX?

VFTAX has higher volatility (5.12%) compared to VBIRX (0.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFTAX dropped -34.20% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.66), 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.