VIITX vs. ASBAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VIITX (Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund) and ASBAX (American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, VIITX returned 2.12%/yr vs 1.61%/yr for ASBAX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VIITX charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.66%/yr for ASBAX.

Performance

VIITX vs. ASBAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund (VIITX) and American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIITX achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly higher than ASBAX's 0.35% return. Over the past 10 years, VIITX has outperformed ASBAX with an annualized return of 2.12%, while ASBAX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.61% annualized return.

VIITX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.76%
• 1Y: 4.57%
• 3Y*: 4.88%
• 5Y*: 1.44%
• 10Y*: 2.12%

ASBAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 0.35%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 3.05%
• 3Y*: 4.04%
• 5Y*: 1.60%
• 10Y*: 1.61%

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

VIITX vs. ASBAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIITX Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund	0.42%	7.23%	3.67%	5.31%	-7.99%	-1.02%	6.17%	6.44%	0.87%	2.00%
ASBAX American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America	0.35%	5.05%	4.31%	3.60%	-4.16%	-0.88%	3.53%	2.81%	1.10%	0.91%

Correlation

The correlation between VIITX and ASBAX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2015	0.68

The correlation between VIITX and ASBAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VIITX vs. ASBAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIITX

VIITX Risk / Return Rank: 48
VIITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VIITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VIITX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VIITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VIITX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

ASBAX

ASBAX Risk / Return Rank: 48
ASBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
ASBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ASBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
ASBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
ASBAX 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.

VIITX vs. ASBAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund (VIITX) and American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX). 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.

	VIITX	ASBAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.74	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.12	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.41	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	2.56	+0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.58	9.38	-0.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIITX vs. ASBAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIITX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the ASBAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIITX and ASBAX, 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

	VIITX	ASBAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.01	1.74	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.72	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.88	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.97	-0.22

Drawdowns

VIITX vs. ASBAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIITX drawdown since its inception was -11.86%, which is greater than ASBAX's maximum drawdown of -6.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIITX and ASBAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIITX	ASBAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.86%	-6.29%	-5.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.89%	-1.24%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.32%	-1.24%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.86%	-6.23%	-5.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.86%	-6.29%	-5.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	-0.33%	-0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.13%	-0.68%	-1.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.58%	0.34%	+0.24%

Volatility

VIITX vs. ASBAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund (VIITX) has a higher volatility of 0.86% compared to American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX) at 0.56%. This indicates that VIITX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ASBAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIITX	ASBAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.86%	0.56%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.84%	1.36%	+0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49%	1.83%	+0.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.85%	2.23%	+1.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.06%	1.83%	+1.23%

VIITX vs. ASBAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIITX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than ASBAX's 0.66% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIITX vs. ASBAX - Dividend Comparison

VIITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than ASBAX's 3.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASBAX American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America	3.76%	3.87%	3.99%	2.88%	1.02%	0.42%	2.08%	1.66%	1.70%	1.21%	0.83%	1.21%
VIITX Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund	4.57%	4.51%	4.71%	3.61%	2.14%	2.20%	2.87%	2.69%	2.62%	2.04%	2.95%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIITX and ASBAX in my portfolio?

VIITX and ASBAX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIITX or ASBAX?

VIITX has higher volatility (0.86%) compared to ASBAX (0.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIITX dropped -11.86% vs ASBAX's -6.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.74), 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.