VICSX vs. VSTBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VICSX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VSTBX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Corporate Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VICSX returned 2.98%/yr vs 3.01%/yr for VSTBX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VICSX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSTBX.

Performance

VICSX vs. VSTBX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VICSX achieves a 0.36% return, which is significantly lower than VSTBX's 0.73% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VICSX having a 2.98% annualized return and VSTBX not far ahead at 3.01%.

VICSX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 0.36%
• 6M: 0.32%
• 1Y: 6.40%
• 3Y*: 6.24%
• 5Y*: 1.40%
• 10Y*: 2.98%

VSTBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 1.00%
• 1Y: 4.66%
• 3Y*: 5.68%
• 5Y*: 2.43%
• 10Y*: 3.01%

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

VICSX vs. VSTBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.36%	9.36%	3.66%	8.88%	-14.09%	-1.56%	9.52%	13.99%	-1.73%	5.47%
VSTBX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.73%	6.75%	5.37%	6.17%	-5.73%	-0.41%	5.07%	9.68%	0.92%	2.48%

Correlation

The correlation between VICSX and VSTBX is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.90

The correlation between VICSX and VSTBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VICSX vs. VSTBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VICSX

VICSX Risk / Return Rank: 33
VICSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VICSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
VICSX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VICSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
VICSX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

VSTBX

VSTBX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VSTBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VSTBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
VSTBX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VSTBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VSTBX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

VICSX vs. VSTBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX). 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.

	VICSX	VSTBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.67	-1.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	4.17	-1.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.54	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	3.57	-1.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.29	14.23	-6.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VICSX vs. VSTBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VICSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is lower than the VSTBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VICSX and VSTBX, 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

	VICSX	VSTBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	2.67	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.90	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	1.27	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	1.47	-0.61

Drawdowns

VICSX vs. VSTBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VICSX drawdown since its inception was -20.53%, which is greater than VSTBX's maximum drawdown of -9.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VICSX and VSTBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VICSX	VSTBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.53%	-9.34%	-11.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.98%	-1.31%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.02%	-1.31%	-4.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.53%	-9.34%	-11.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.53%	-9.34%	-11.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.17%	-0.24%	-0.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.16%	-0.96%	-2.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.89%	0.33%	+0.56%

Volatility

VICSX vs. VSTBX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX) has a higher volatility of 1.37% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX) at 0.57%. This indicates that VICSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSTBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VICSX	VSTBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.37%	0.57%	+0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.90%	1.27%	+1.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.93%	1.76%	+2.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.17%	2.71%	+3.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.34%	2.38%	+2.96%

VICSX vs. VSTBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VICSX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTBX's 0.05% 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

VICSX vs. VSTBX - Dividend Comparison

VICSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.76%, more than VSTBX's 4.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.76%	4.59%	4.77%	3.70%	3.00%	2.76%	2.77%	3.35%	3.62%	3.22%	3.03%	3.36%
VSTBX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.44%	4.34%	4.29%	3.09%	2.00%	1.80%	2.27%	5.40%	2.67%	2.27%	1.96%	2.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VICSX and VSTBX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VICSX and VSTBX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VICSX or VSTBX?

VICSX has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to VSTBX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VICSX dropped -20.53% vs VSTBX's -9.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 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.