VSGDX vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

VSGDX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Feb 12, 2001.

Performance

VSGDX vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VSGDX vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSGDX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares	0.15%	5.94%	4.26%	3.92%	-5.22%	-0.58%	4.46%	4.21%	1.37%	0.80%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-3.95%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSGDX achieves a 0.15% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's -3.95% return. Over the past 10 years, VSGDX has underperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of 1.89%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively higher 12.24% annualized return.

VSGDX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -0.68%
• YTD: 0.15%
• 6M: 1.23%
• 1Y: 4.04%
• 3Y*: 4.31%
• 5Y*: 1.67%
• 10Y*: 1.89%

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -4.45%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 16.73%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

Return for Risk

VSGDX vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSGDX

VSGDX Risk / Return Rank: 92
VSGDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VSGDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VSGDX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VSGDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VSGDX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 67
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

VSGDX vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	VSGDX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	0.92	+0.91
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	1.41	+1.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.21	+0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	1.41	+1.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.08	6.61	+5.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSGDX vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSGDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is higher than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSGDX and ^GSPC, 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

	VSGDX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	0.92	+0.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.61	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.68	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	0.46	+0.79

Correlation

The correlation between VSGDX and ^GSPC is -0.18. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.

Drawdowns

VSGDX vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSGDX drawdown since its inception was -7.29%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSGDX and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSGDX	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.29%	-56.78%	+49.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.35%	-12.14%	+10.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.29%	-25.43%	+18.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.29%	-33.92%	+26.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-5.78%	+4.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-10.75%	+10.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.37%	2.60%	-2.23%

Volatility

VSGDX vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) is 0.74%, while S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) has a volatility of 5.37%. This indicates that VSGDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSGDX	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.74%	5.37%	-4.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.36%	9.55%	-8.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25%	18.33%	-16.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.64%	16.90%	-14.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.14%	18.05%	-15.91%