VSDM vs. PRFSX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Short Duration Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VSDM) and T. Rowe Price Tax Free Short-Intermediate Fund (PRFSX).

VSDM is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 21, 2024. PRFSX is managed by T. Rowe Price. It was launched on Dec 22, 1983.

Performance

VSDM vs. PRFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short Duration Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VSDM) and T. Rowe Price Tax Free Short-Intermediate Fund (PRFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VSDM vs. PRFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VSDM Vanguard Short Duration Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.30%	5.39%	-0.15%
PRFSX T. Rowe Price Tax Free Short-Intermediate Fund	0.17%	5.77%	0.35%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSDM achieves a 0.30% return, which is significantly higher than PRFSX's 0.17% return.

VSDM

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: -1.24%
• YTD: 0.30%
• 6M: 1.03%
• 1Y: 4.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PRFSX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.43%
• YTD: 0.17%
• 6M: 1.26%
• 1Y: 4.28%
• 3Y*: 4.50%
• 5Y*: 2.28%
• 10Y*: 1.98%

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

VSDM vs. PRFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSDM has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than PRFSX's 0.50% expense ratio.

PRFSX

T. Rowe Price Tax Free Short-Intermediate Fund

VSDM

Vanguard Short Duration Tax-Exempt Bond ETF

Return for Risk

VSDM vs. PRFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSDM

VSDM Risk / Return Rank: 90
VSDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
VSDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VSDM Omega Ratio Rank: 97
VSDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VSDM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PRFSX

PRFSX Risk / Return Rank: 90
PRFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
PRFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
PRFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PRFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
PRFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

VSDM vs. PRFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short Duration Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VSDM) and T. Rowe Price Tax Free Short-Intermediate Fund (PRFSX). 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.

	VSDM	PRFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.99	+0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.83	-0.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.73	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	2.19	+0.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.93	8.45	+0.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSDM vs. PRFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSDM Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the PRFSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSDM and PRFSX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VSDM	PRFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	1.99	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.05	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.04	1.52	+0.52

Correlation

The correlation between VSDM and PRFSX is 0.43, 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

VSDM vs. PRFSX - Dividend Comparison

VSDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.05%, less than PRFSX's 3.47% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VSDM Vanguard Short Duration Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.05%	3.06%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PRFSX T. Rowe Price Tax Free Short-Intermediate Fund	3.47%	4.12%	4.43%	3.67%	1.09%	1.22%	1.49%	1.62%	1.48%	1.37%	1.34%	1.41%

Drawdowns

VSDM vs. PRFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSDM drawdown since its inception was -1.81%, smaller than the maximum PRFSX drawdown of -6.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSDM and PRFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSDM	PRFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.81%	-6.97%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.81%	-2.18%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-6.97%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-6.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.24%	-1.43%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.27%	-0.90%	+0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.50%	0.56%	-0.06%

Volatility

VSDM vs. PRFSX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short Duration Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VSDM) has a higher volatility of 0.73% compared to T. Rowe Price Tax Free Short-Intermediate Fund (PRFSX) at 0.61%. This indicates that VSDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PRFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSDM	PRFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.73%	0.61%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.00%	1.25%	-0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08%	2.45%	-0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.02%	2.19%	-0.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.02%	2.17%	-0.15%