VSGBX vs. FANCX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

VSGBX (Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Investor Shares) and FANCX (Fidelity Advisor Short-Term Bond Fund Class C) are both Total Bond Market funds. Over the past 5 years, VSGBX returned 1.61%/yr vs 1.21%/yr for FANCX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSGBX charges 0.20%/yr vs 1.51%/yr for FANCX.

Performance

VSGBX vs. FANCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Investor Shares (VSGBX) and Fidelity Advisor Short-Term Bond Fund Class C (FANCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSGBX achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly higher than FANCX's 0.11% return.

VSGBX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.03%
• 6M: 0.73%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 1Y: 3.50%
• 3Y*: 4.52%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 1.79%

FANCX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.00%
• 6M: 0.23%
• YTD: 0.11%
• 1Y: 2.26%
• 3Y*: 3.59%
• 5Y*: 1.21%
• 10Y*: —

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

VSGBX vs. FANCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSGBX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Investor Shares	0.64%	5.83%	4.17%	3.82%	-5.31%	-0.66%	4.36%	4.10%	1.27%	0.69%
FANCX Fidelity Advisor Short-Term Bond Fund Class C	0.11%	4.38%	3.74%	3.91%	-4.63%	-1.81%	2.74%	2.90%	0.23%	-0.02%

Correlation

The correlation between VSGBX and FANCX is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2016	0.74

The correlation between VSGBX and FANCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSGBX vs. FANCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSGBX

VSGBX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VSGBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VSGBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
VSGBX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VSGBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VSGBX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

FANCX

FANCX Risk / Return Rank: 39
FANCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FANCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
FANCX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
FANCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
FANCX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

VSGBX vs. FANCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Investor Shares (VSGBX) and Fidelity Advisor Short-Term Bond Fund Class C (FANCX). 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.

	VSGBX	FANCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	1.31	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.83	2.19	+0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.29	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	2.03	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.98	5.97	+3.01

VSGBX vs. FANCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSGBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the FANCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSGBX and FANCX, 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

VSGBX vs. FANCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSGBX drawdown since its inception was -7.42%, roughly equal to the maximum FANCX drawdown of -7.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSGBX and FANCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSGBX	FANCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.42%	-7.79%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.35%	-1.18%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.35%	-1.18%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.40%	-7.24%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-0.46%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-1.54%	+0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.40%	0.40%	0.00%

Volatility

VSGBX vs. FANCX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Investor Shares (VSGBX) has a higher volatility of 0.67% compared to Fidelity Advisor Short-Term Bond Fund Class C (FANCX) at 0.61%. This indicates that VSGBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FANCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSGBX	FANCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.67%	0.61%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.69%	1.36%	+0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13%	1.82%	+0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.69%	2.14%	+0.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.17%	1.77%	+0.40%

VSGBX vs. FANCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSGBX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than FANCX's 1.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSGBX vs. FANCX - Dividend Comparison

VSGBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, more than FANCX's 3.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FANCX Fidelity Advisor Short-Term Bond Fund Class C	3.09%	3.20%	2.95%	1.75%	0.15%	0.36%	1.68%	1.00%	0.69%	0.21%	0.07%	0.00%
VSGBX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Investor Shares	3.86%	3.69%	3.47%	3.32%	1.67%	1.37%	1.68%	2.32%	1.92%	1.35%	1.33%	1.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSGBX and FANCX in my portfolio?

VSGBX and FANCX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSGBX or FANCX?

VSGBX has higher volatility (0.67%) compared to FANCX (0.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSGBX dropped -7.42% vs FANCX's -7.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSGBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.31), 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.