VGCAX vs. FSTAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGCAX (Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares) and FSTAX (Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A) are both Total Bond Market funds. Over the past 5 years, VGCAX returned 1.52%/yr vs 2.83%/yr for FSTAX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGCAX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.97%/yr for FSTAX.

Performance

VGCAX vs. FSTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX) and Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A (FSTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGCAX achieves a 1.05% return, which is significantly lower than FSTAX's 3.19% return.

VGCAX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 1.05%
• 6M: 0.99%
• 1Y: 5.94%
• 3Y*: 6.23%
• 5Y*: 1.52%
• 10Y*: —

FSTAX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 3.19%
• 6M: 3.50%
• 1Y: 9.60%
• 3Y*: 7.53%
• 5Y*: 2.83%
• 10Y*: 4.02%

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

VGCAX vs. FSTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VGCAX Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares	1.05%	7.30%	3.99%	9.22%	-13.43%	-0.64%	10.81%	13.05%	0.96%
FSTAX Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A	3.19%	8.68%	4.93%	8.82%	-11.98%	3.22%	7.21%	10.74%	-0.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VGCAX and FSTAX is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2018	0.73

The correlation between VGCAX and FSTAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VGCAX vs. FSTAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGCAX

VGCAX Risk / Return Rank: 37
VGCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
VGCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VGCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VGCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VGCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

FSTAX

FSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 86
FSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
FSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

VGCAX vs. FSTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX) and Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A (FSTAX). 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.

	VGCAX	FSTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	2.81	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	4.24	-1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.59	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	3.74	-1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.10	16.22	-9.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGCAX vs. FSTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGCAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is lower than the FSTAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGCAX and FSTAX, 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

	VGCAX	FSTAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	2.81	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.63	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.91	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.51	+0.31

Drawdowns

VGCAX vs. FSTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGCAX drawdown since its inception was -18.63%, smaller than the maximum FSTAX drawdown of -23.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGCAX and FSTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGCAX	FSTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.63%	-23.29%	+4.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.90%	-2.65%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.00%	-4.04%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.63%	-16.18%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-16.18%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	0.00%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.35%	-4.83%	+0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	0.61%	+0.24%

Volatility

VGCAX vs. FSTAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX) is 1.24%, while Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A (FSTAX) has a volatility of 1.35%. This indicates that VGCAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGCAX	FSTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.24%	1.35%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.59%	2.89%	-0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.31%	3.54%	-0.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.07%	4.49%	+0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.84%	4.44%	+0.40%

VGCAX vs. FSTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGCAX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than FSTAX's 0.97% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGCAX vs. FSTAX - Dividend Comparison

VGCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.95%, more than FSTAX's 4.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSTAX Fidelity Advisor Strategic Income Fund Class A	4.01%	4.05%	3.21%	3.70%	2.70%	4.01%	4.32%	4.06%	3.50%	3.70%	3.49%	2.89%
VGCAX Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.95%	4.91%	4.65%	4.48%	2.72%	3.16%	4.65%	6.88%	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGCAX and FSTAX in my portfolio?

VGCAX and FSTAX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGCAX or FSTAX?

FSTAX has higher volatility (1.35%) compared to VGCAX (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGCAX dropped -18.63% vs FSTAX's -23.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 1.84), 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.