VISTX vs. ASBAX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX) and American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX).
VISTX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Jun 19, 2015. ASBAX is managed by American Funds. It was launched on Oct 2, 2006.
Performance
VISTX vs. ASBAX - Performance Comparison
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VISTX vs. ASBAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VISTX Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund | 0.25% | 5.68% | 5.56% | 4.98% | -3.73% | -0.04% | 3.92% | 4.20% | 1.83% | 1.42% |
ASBAX American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America | -0.26% | 5.05% | 4.31% | 3.60% | -4.16% | -0.88% | 3.53% | 2.81% | 1.10% | 0.91% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VISTX achieves a 0.25% return, which is significantly higher than ASBAX's -0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, VISTX has outperformed ASBAX with an annualized return of 2.43%, while ASBAX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.57% annualized return.
VISTX
- 1D
- 0.15%
- 1M
- -0.64%
- YTD
- 0.25%
- 6M
- 1.45%
- 1Y
- 4.26%
- 3Y*
- 4.94%
- 5Y*
- 2.45%
- 10Y*
- 2.43%
ASBAX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -0.93%
- YTD
- -0.26%
- 6M
- 0.79%
- 1Y
- 3.11%
- 3Y*
- 3.72%
- 5Y*
- 1.51%
- 10Y*
- 1.57%
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VISTX vs. ASBAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VISTX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than ASBAX's 0.66% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VISTX vs. ASBAX — Risk / Return Rank
VISTX
ASBAX
VISTX vs. ASBAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX) 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.
| VISTX | ASBAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 3.01 | 1.81 | +1.20 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 4.73 | 3.19 | +1.54 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.68 | 1.44 | +0.25 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.24 | 2.95 | +2.29 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 21.26 | 11.57 | +9.69 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VISTX | ASBAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.01 | 1.81 | +1.20 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.33 | 0.69 | +0.64 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 1.66 | 0.87 | +0.79 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.70 | 0.96 | +0.74 |
Correlation
The correlation between VISTX and ASBAX is 0.70, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
VISTX vs. ASBAX - Dividend Comparison
VISTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.11%, more than ASBAX's 3.50% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VISTX Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund | 4.11% | 4.53% | 5.03% | 3.91% | 1.76% | 1.85% | 2.33% | 2.72% | 2.32% | 1.78% | 1.51% | 0.00% |
ASBAX American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America | 3.50% | 3.87% | 3.99% | 2.88% | 1.02% | 0.42% | 2.08% | 1.66% | 1.70% | 1.21% | 0.83% | 1.21% |
Drawdowns
VISTX vs. ASBAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VISTX drawdown since its inception was -5.64%, smaller than the maximum ASBAX drawdown of -6.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VISTX and ASBAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VISTX | ASBAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.64% | -6.29% | +0.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.86% | -1.24% | +0.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -5.64% | -6.23% | +0.59% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -5.64% | -6.29% | +0.65% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.64% | -0.93% | +0.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.69% | -0.68% | -0.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.21% | 0.32% | -0.11% |
Volatility
VISTX vs. ASBAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX) is 0.47%, while American Funds Short-Term Bond Fund of America (ASBAX) has a volatility of 0.60%. This indicates that VISTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ASBAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VISTX | ASBAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.47% | 0.60% | -0.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.85% | 1.22% | -0.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.45% | 1.93% | -0.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.85% | 2.20% | -0.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.47% | 1.81% | -0.34% |