VGSTX vs. VMLTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGSTX (Vanguard STAR Fund) and VMLTX (Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - VGSTX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard, while VMLTX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VGSTX returned 9.65%/yr vs 2.13%/yr for VMLTX. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VGSTX charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for VMLTX.

Performance

VGSTX vs. VMLTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX) and Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VMLTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGSTX achieves a 6.45% return, which is significantly higher than VMLTX's 1.01% return. Over the past 10 years, VGSTX has outperformed VMLTX with an annualized return of 9.65%, while VMLTX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.13% annualized return.

VGSTX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 3.50%
• YTD: 6.45%
• 6M: 7.04%
• 1Y: 18.40%
• 3Y*: 14.88%
• 5Y*: 6.81%
• 10Y*: 9.65%

VMLTX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.01%
• 6M: 1.37%
• 1Y: 4.36%
• 3Y*: 4.24%
• 5Y*: 2.12%
• 10Y*: 2.13%

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

VGSTX vs. VMLTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund	6.45%	15.88%	13.69%	17.14%	-18.05%	9.65%	21.45%	22.21%	-5.33%	16.95%
VMLTX Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	1.01%	5.39%	3.14%	4.19%	-2.98%	0.83%	3.30%	4.11%	1.56%	2.02%

Correlation

The correlation between VGSTX and VMLTX is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 1987	0.08

The correlation between VGSTX and VMLTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (all time) to 0.20 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VGSTX vs. VMLTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGSTX

VGSTX Risk / Return Rank: 56
VGSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VGSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VGSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VGSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VGSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

VMLTX

VMLTX Risk / Return Rank: 77
VMLTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
VMLTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VMLTX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
VMLTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VMLTX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

VGSTX vs. VMLTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX) and Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VMLTX). 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.

	VGSTX	VMLTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.93	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	5.38	-2.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.96	-0.55
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	2.86	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.06	9.49	+2.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGSTX vs. VMLTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the VMLTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGSTX and VMLTX, 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

	VGSTX	VMLTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.93	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	1.14	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	1.10	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	1.93	-1.12

Drawdowns

VGSTX vs. VMLTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGSTX drawdown since its inception was -38.62%, which is greater than VMLTX's maximum drawdown of -6.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGSTX and VMLTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGSTX	VMLTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.62%	-6.41%	-32.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.76%	-1.53%	-5.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.77%	-2.02%	-9.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.55%	-5.69%	-19.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.55%	-6.41%	-19.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.40%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.03%	-0.48%	-3.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	0.46%	+1.09%

Volatility

VGSTX vs. VMLTX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX) has a higher volatility of 2.46% compared to Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VMLTX) at 0.46%. This indicates that VGSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMLTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGSTX	VMLTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.46%	0.46%	+2.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.69%	1.14%	+5.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.47%	1.49%	+6.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.82%	1.86%	+9.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.83%	1.93%	+9.90%

VGSTX vs. VMLTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGSTX has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than VMLTX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGSTX vs. VMLTX - Dividend Comparison

VGSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.57%, more than VMLTX's 3.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund	8.57%	9.13%	10.67%	5.35%	8.34%	6.70%	6.68%	6.07%	6.90%	3.32%	4.77%	5.62%
VMLTX Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	3.07%	3.75%	3.27%	2.30%	1.56%	1.64%	1.62%	2.01%	1.81%	1.55%	1.52%	1.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGSTX and VMLTX in my portfolio?

VGSTX and VMLTX have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGSTX or VMLTX?

VGSTX has higher volatility (2.46%) compared to VMLTX (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGSTX dropped -38.62% vs VMLTX's -6.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMLTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 2.21), 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.