VISTX vs. RCTIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VISTX (Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund) and RCTIX (River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, VISTX returned 2.45%/yr vs 5.53%/yr for RCTIX. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VISTX charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for RCTIX.

Performance

VISTX vs. RCTIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX) and River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund (RCTIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VISTX achieves a 0.81% return, which is significantly higher than RCTIX's 0.61% return. Over the past 10 years, VISTX has underperformed RCTIX with an annualized return of 2.45%, while RCTIX has yielded a comparatively higher 5.53% annualized return.

VISTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 1.19%
• 1Y: 4.05%
• 3Y*: 5.14%
• 5Y*: 2.50%
• 10Y*: 2.45%

RCTIX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -0.01%
• YTD: 0.61%
• 6M: 1.26%
• 1Y: 4.82%
• 3Y*: 7.43%
• 5Y*: 4.36%
• 10Y*: 5.53%

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

VISTX vs. RCTIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VISTX Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund	0.81%	5.68%	5.56%	4.98%	-3.73%	-0.04%	3.92%	4.20%	1.83%	1.42%
RCTIX River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund	0.61%	7.75%	7.49%	10.02%	-4.07%	4.26%	6.42%	11.71%	1.82%	9.76%

Correlation

The correlation between VISTX and RCTIX is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.44

Over the past year, VISTX and RCTIX have become more correlated (0.73) than their long-term average of 0.44, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VISTX vs. RCTIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VISTX

VISTX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VISTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VISTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VISTX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VISTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VISTX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

RCTIX

RCTIX Risk / Return Rank: 72
RCTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
RCTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
RCTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
RCTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
RCTIX 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.

VISTX vs. RCTIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX) and River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund (RCTIX). 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	RCTIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.25	2.27	+0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.40	3.42	+1.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.75	1.46	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.00	4.30	+0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.80	14.32	+6.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VISTX vs. RCTIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VISTX Sharpe Ratio is 3.25, which is higher than the RCTIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VISTX and RCTIX, 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

	VISTX	RCTIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25	2.27	+0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.35	1.76	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.67	1.48	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.71	1.31	+0.40

Drawdowns

VISTX vs. RCTIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VISTX drawdown since its inception was -5.64%, smaller than the maximum RCTIX drawdown of -10.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VISTX and RCTIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VISTX	RCTIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.64%	-10.89%	+5.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.86%	-1.20%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.86%	-1.48%	+0.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.64%	-6.17%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.64%	-10.89%	+5.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.08%	-0.21%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.69%	-1.08%	+0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.21%	0.36%	-0.15%

Volatility

VISTX vs. RCTIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX) is 0.39%, while River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund (RCTIX) has a volatility of 0.81%. This indicates that VISTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RCTIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VISTX	RCTIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	0.81%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.86%	1.76%	-0.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32%	2.28%	-0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.87%	2.49%	-0.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.47%	3.74%	-2.27%

VISTX vs. RCTIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VISTX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than RCTIX's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

VISTX vs. RCTIX - Dividend Comparison

VISTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, less than RCTIX's 7.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
RCTIX River Canyon Total Return Bond Fund	7.28%	7.31%	7.89%	8.50%	5.98%	3.02%	5.97%	4.97%	3.30%	4.89%	2.16%
VISTX Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund	4.46%	4.53%	5.03%	3.91%	1.76%	1.85%	2.33%	2.72%	2.32%	1.78%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VISTX and RCTIX in my portfolio?

VISTX and RCTIX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VISTX or RCTIX?

RCTIX has higher volatility (0.81%) compared to VISTX (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VISTX dropped -5.64% vs RCTIX's -10.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VISTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.25 vs 2.27), 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.