VITSX vs. VGSH

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VITSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) are both funds - VITSX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while VGSH is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VITSX returned 14.94%/yr vs 1.73%/yr for VGSH. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.

Performance

VITSX vs. VGSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITSX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VITSX achieves a 9.11% return, which is significantly higher than VGSH's 0.57% return. Over the past 10 years, VITSX has outperformed VGSH with an annualized return of 14.94%, while VGSH has yielded a comparatively lower 1.73% annualized return.

VITSX

• 1D: 1.88%
• 1M: -0.74%
• YTD: 9.11%
• 6M: 9.18%
• 1Y: 25.69%
• 3Y*: 20.73%
• 5Y*: 12.10%
• 10Y*: 14.94%

VGSH

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.57%
• 6M: 0.83%
• 1Y: 3.36%
• 3Y*: 4.25%
• 5Y*: 1.83%
• 10Y*: 1.73%

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

VITSX vs. VGSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VITSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	9.11%	17.14%	23.25%	26.51%	-19.51%	25.74%	20.99%	30.80%	-5.18%	21.16%
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	0.57%	5.07%	4.00%	4.31%	-3.86%	-0.60%	3.04%	3.52%	1.55%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VITSX and VGSH is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009	-0.13

The correlation between VITSX and VGSH shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (all time) to 0.16 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VITSX vs. VGSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VITSX

VITSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VITSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VITSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VITSX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VITSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VITSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VGSH

VGSH Risk / Return Rank: 88
VGSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VGSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VGSH Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VGSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VGSH Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

VITSX vs. VGSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITSX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VITSX	VGSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.61	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	4.30	-1.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.55	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	3.76	-0.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.46	14.67	-2.21

VITSX vs. VGSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VITSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the VGSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VITSX and VGSH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VITSX vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VITSX drawdown since its inception was -55.30%, which is greater than VGSH's maximum drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VITSX and VGSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VITSX	VGSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.30%	-5.70%	-49.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-0.88%	-8.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-0.97%	-18.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-5.66%	-19.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.97%	-5.70%	-29.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.56%	-0.21%	-2.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.06%	-0.60%	-9.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	0.23%	+1.75%

Volatility

VITSX vs. VGSH - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITSX) has a higher volatility of 4.60% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) at 0.37%. This indicates that VITSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VITSX	VGSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	0.37%	+4.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.93%	0.90%	+9.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.72%	1.28%	+11.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.44%	1.97%	+15.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.44%	1.58%	+16.86%

VITSX vs. VGSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VITSX and VGSH have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VITSX vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison

VITSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than VGSH's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF	3.87%	4.00%	4.18%	3.31%	1.15%	0.66%	1.74%	2.28%	1.79%	1.10%	0.84%	0.69%
VITSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.03%	1.12%	1.27%	1.43%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.77%	2.04%	1.71%	1.93%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VITSX and VGSH in my portfolio?

VITSX and VGSH have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VITSX or VGSH?

VITSX has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to VGSH (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VITSX dropped -55.30% vs VGSH's -5.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 1.94), 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.