VSCGX vs. VFSIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VSCGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund) and VFSIX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - VSCGX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard, while VFSIX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VSCGX returned 6.63%/yr vs 2.59%/yr for VFSIX. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VSCGX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VFSIX.

Performance

VSCGX vs. VFSIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund (VSCGX) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSCGX achieves a 5.55% return, which is significantly higher than VFSIX's 0.54% return. Over the past 10 years, VSCGX has outperformed VFSIX with an annualized return of 6.63%, while VFSIX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.59% annualized return.

VSCGX

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 1.28%
• YTD: 5.55%
• 6M: 5.64%
• 1Y: 14.19%
• 3Y*: 11.91%
• 5Y*: 5.57%
• 10Y*: 6.63%

VFSIX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 6M: 0.92%
• 1Y: 4.42%
• 3Y*: 5.55%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 2.59%

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

VSCGX vs. VFSIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSCGX Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund	5.55%	12.87%	11.65%	12.72%	-15.00%	6.04%	11.51%	15.69%	-2.95%	10.02%
VFSIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares	0.54%	6.89%	5.12%	5.88%	-5.72%	-0.59%	5.28%	5.88%	1.00%	2.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VSCGX and VFSIX is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 1997	0.13

Over the past year, VSCGX and VFSIX have become more correlated (0.50) than their long-term average of 0.13, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VSCGX vs. VFSIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSCGX

VSCGX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VSCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VSCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VSCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VSCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VSCGX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VFSIX

VFSIX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VFSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VFSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
VFSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VFSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VFSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

VSCGX vs. VFSIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund (VSCGX) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX). 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.

	VSCGX	VFSIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.90	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	3.33	-0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.43	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	2.60	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.61	10.11	+1.50

VSCGX vs. VFSIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSCGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the VFSIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSCGX and VFSIX, 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

VSCGX vs. VFSIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSCGX drawdown since its inception was -30.62%, which is greater than VFSIX's maximum drawdown of -9.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSCGX and VFSIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSCGX	VFSIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.62%	-9.21%	-21.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.19%	-1.71%	-3.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.71%	-1.71%	-5.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.15%	-9.21%	-10.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.15%	-9.21%	-10.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.52%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.99%	-0.79%	-2.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.21%	0.44%	+0.77%

Volatility

VSCGX vs. VFSIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund (VSCGX) has a higher volatility of 2.67% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX) at 0.80%. This indicates that VSCGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFSIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSCGX	VFSIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.67%	0.80%	+1.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.54%	1.73%	+3.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.53%	2.34%	+4.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.76%	3.00%	+4.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.40%	2.50%	+4.90%

VSCGX vs. VFSIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSCGX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSIX's 0.07% 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

VSCGX vs. VFSIX - Dividend Comparison

VSCGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.25%, more than VFSIX's 4.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFSIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares	4.75%	4.61%	4.19%	2.88%	2.06%	1.81%	2.35%	2.95%	2.80%	2.13%	2.17%	2.12%
VSCGX Vanguard LifeStrategy 40/60 Fund	5.25%	5.50%	11.03%	5.23%	2.79%	4.18%	3.28%	2.62%	3.81%	1.65%	2.43%	3.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSCGX and VFSIX in my portfolio?

VSCGX and VFSIX have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSCGX or VFSIX?

VSCGX has higher volatility (2.67%) compared to VFSIX (0.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSCGX dropped -30.62% vs VFSIX's -9.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSCGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.90), 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.