VHGEX vs. VFSTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VHGEX (Vanguard Global Equity Fund) and VFSTX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - VHGEX is a Global Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VFSTX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VHGEX returned 11.86%/yr vs 2.54%/yr for VFSTX. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. VHGEX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VFSTX.

Performance

VHGEX vs. VFSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Global Equity Fund (VHGEX) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHGEX achieves a 7.78% return, which is significantly higher than VFSTX's 0.77% return. Over the past 10 years, VHGEX has outperformed VFSTX with an annualized return of 11.86%, while VFSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.54% annualized return.

VHGEX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 7.78%
• 6M: 8.97%
• 1Y: 23.42%
• 3Y*: 17.37%
• 5Y*: 7.61%
• 10Y*: 11.86%

VFSTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 0.77%
• 6M: 1.05%
• 1Y: 4.69%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 2.54%

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

VHGEX vs. VFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VHGEX Vanguard Global Equity Fund	7.78%	21.22%	13.41%	23.52%	-22.72%	13.06%	22.38%	28.73%	-9.15%	27.80%
VFSTX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	0.77%	6.75%	4.98%	6.06%	-5.84%	-0.70%	5.16%	5.75%	0.87%	2.02%

Correlation

The correlation between VHGEX and VFSTX is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
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	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 1995	-0.06

The correlation between VHGEX and VFSTX shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (all time) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VHGEX vs. VFSTX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VHGEX	VFSTX
Technology	30.0%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	14.0%	-
Financial Services	13.4%	-
Healthcare	11.6%	100.0%
Communication Services	8.3%	100.0%
Industrials	8.0%	-
Basic Materials	4.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	-
Energy	3.2%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	0.0%
Utilities	0.5%	-

Return for Risk

VHGEX vs. VFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VHGEX

VHGEX Risk / Return Rank: 32
VHGEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VHGEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
VHGEX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VHGEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VHGEX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

VFSTX

VFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VFSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

VHGEX vs. VFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global Equity Fund (VHGEX) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX). 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.

	VHGEX	VFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.04	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	3.61	-1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.46	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	2.76	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.79	10.82	-3.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VHGEX vs. VFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHGEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the VFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHGEX and VFSTX, 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

	VHGEX	VFSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	2.04	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.78	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	1.03	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	1.51	-0.98

Drawdowns

VHGEX vs. VFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHGEX drawdown since its inception was -64.81%, which is greater than VFSTX's maximum drawdown of -9.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHGEX and VFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VHGEX	VFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.81%	-9.35%	-55.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.92%	-1.71%	-10.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.21%	-1.71%	-17.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.02%	-9.35%	-23.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.23%	-9.35%	-23.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-0.26%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.96%	-1.12%	-8.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	0.43%	+2.66%

Volatility

VHGEX vs. VFSTX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Global Equity Fund (VHGEX) has a higher volatility of 3.41% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFSTX) at 0.74%. This indicates that VHGEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VHGEX	VFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.41%	0.74%	+2.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.11%	1.65%	+9.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.47%	2.31%	+12.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.27%	2.98%	+15.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.04%	2.48%	+15.56%

VHGEX vs. VFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHGEX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSTX's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

VHGEX vs. VFSTX - Dividend Comparison

VHGEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.49%, more than VFSTX's 4.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFSTX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	4.61%	4.48%	4.06%	3.05%	1.93%	1.70%	2.24%	2.83%	2.68%	2.00%	2.04%	1.99%
VHGEX Vanguard Global Equity Fund	11.49%	12.38%	4.24%	1.15%	11.32%	10.90%	2.88%	6.20%	8.45%	1.29%	1.51%	1.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VHGEX and VFSTX in my portfolio?

VHGEX and VFSTX have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VHGEX or VFSTX?

VHGEX has higher volatility (3.41%) compared to VFSTX (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHGEX dropped -64.81% vs VFSTX's -9.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.67), 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.