VGVT vs. CAFX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VGVT (Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF) and CAFX (Congress Intermediate Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, VGVT returned 1.76% vs 1.77% for CAFX. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VGVT charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for CAFX.

Performance

VGVT vs. CAFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) and Congress Intermediate Bond ETF (CAFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGVT achieves a -0.65% return, which is significantly lower than CAFX's -0.07% return.

VGVT

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -1.01%
• 6M: -0.94%
• YTD: -0.65%
• 1Y: 1.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.72%

CAFX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.55%
• 6M: -0.16%
• YTD: -0.07%
• 1Y: 1.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.51%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
CAFX Congress Intermediate Bond ETF	$652.76K	$602.99K	$771.28K
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	$256.38K	$357.24K	$499.27K

VGVT vs. CAFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	-0.65%	3.56%
CAFX Congress Intermediate Bond ETF	-0.07%	2.97%

Correlation

The correlation between VGVT and CAFX is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025	0.73

The correlation between VGVT and CAFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VGVT vs. CAFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VGVT

VGVT Risk / Return Rank: 29
VGVT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VGVT Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
VGVT Omega Ratio Rank: 28
VGVT Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VGVT Martin Ratio Rank: 27

CAFX

CAFX Risk / Return Rank: 36
CAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
CAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
CAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
CAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
CAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VGVT vs. CAFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) and Congress Intermediate Bond ETF (CAFX). 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.

	VGVT	CAFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	0.88	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	1.34	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.16	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.92	1.42	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.19	3.51	-1.31

VGVT vs. CAFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGVT Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is comparable to the CAFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGVT and CAFX, 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

VGVT vs. CAFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGVT drawdown since its inception was -2.77%, which is greater than CAFX's maximum drawdown of -2.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGVT and CAFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGVT	CAFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.77%	-2.63%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.77%	-1.79%	-0.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.50%	-1.27%	-1.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.83%	-0.75%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.16%	0.72%	+0.44%

Volatility

VGVT vs. CAFX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) has a higher volatility of 0.99% compared to Congress Intermediate Bond ETF (CAFX) at 0.65%. This indicates that VGVT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CAFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGVT	CAFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.99%	0.65%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.54%	2.00%	+0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.28%	2.87%	+0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.27%	3.12%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.27%	3.12%	+0.15%

VGVT vs. CAFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGVT has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than CAFX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGVT vs. CAFX - Dividend Comparison

VGVT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.40%, more than CAFX's 4.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CAFX Congress Intermediate Bond ETF	4.07%	3.92%	0.96%
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	4.14%	2.29%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGVT and CAFX in my portfolio?

VGVT and CAFX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGVT or CAFX?

VGVT has higher volatility (0.99%) compared to CAFX (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGVT dropped -2.77% vs CAFX's -2.63%.

Which ETF is better, VGVT or CAFX?

On 1-year performance, CAFX leads with 1.77% vs 1.76% for VGVT. On fees, VGVT is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, CAFX has been the lower-risk option at 0.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VGVT or CAFX?

Over the 1-year period, CAFX has performed better with a 1.77% return vs 1.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGVT or CAFX?

VGVT is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for CAFX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VGVT or CAFX?

VGVT has the higher dividend yield at 4.14%, compared with 4.07% for CAFX.

What is the main difference between VGVT and CAFX?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Congress. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VGVT and 0.35% for CAFX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.88 vs 0.78), 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.