VSGDX vs. AHITX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VSGDX (Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares) and AHITX (American Funds American High-Income Trust) are both mutual funds - VSGDX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while AHITX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, VSGDX returned 1.91%/yr vs 5.92%/yr for AHITX. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VSGDX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AHITX.

Performance

VSGDX vs. AHITX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) and American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSGDX achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly lower than AHITX's 2.19% return. Over the past 10 years, VSGDX has underperformed AHITX with an annualized return of 1.91%, while AHITX has yielded a comparatively higher 5.92% annualized return.

VSGDX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.97%
• 1Y: 4.01%
• 3Y*: 4.53%
• 5Y*: 1.69%
• 10Y*: 1.91%

AHITX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 2.19%
• 6M: 2.84%
• 1Y: 8.58%
• 3Y*: 9.30%
• 5Y*: 4.48%
• 10Y*: 5.92%

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

VSGDX vs. AHITX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSGDX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares	0.64%	5.94%	4.26%	3.92%	-5.22%	-0.58%	4.46%	4.21%	1.37%	0.80%
AHITX American Funds American High-Income Trust	2.19%	8.28%	9.45%	11.43%	-10.38%	8.32%	7.01%	11.86%	-1.80%	7.30%

Correlation

The correlation between VSGDX and AHITX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2001	0.13

Over the past year, VSGDX and AHITX have become more correlated (0.45) than their long-term average of 0.13, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VSGDX vs. AHITX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSGDX

VSGDX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VSGDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VSGDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VSGDX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VSGDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VSGDX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

AHITX

AHITX Risk / Return Rank: 84
AHITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
AHITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
AHITX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
AHITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
AHITX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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. AHITX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) and American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX). 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	AHITX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	2.54	-0.72
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	4.42	-1.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.57	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	3.77	-0.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.62	17.00	-5.38
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. AHITX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSGDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the AHITX Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSGDX and AHITX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VSGDX	AHITX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	2.54	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.90	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	1.08	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.24	1.43	-0.19

Drawdowns

VSGDX vs. AHITX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSGDX drawdown since its inception was -7.29%, smaller than the maximum AHITX drawdown of -34.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSGDX and AHITX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSGDX	AHITX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.29%	-34.81%	+27.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.35%	-2.41%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.35%	-3.96%	+2.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.29%	-13.93%	+6.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.29%	-21.22%	+13.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	0.00%	-0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.73%	-2.67%	+1.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.37%	0.53%	-0.16%

Volatility

VSGDX vs. AHITX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) is 0.72%, while American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX) has a volatility of 1.17%. This indicates that VSGDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AHITX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSGDX	AHITX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.72%	1.17%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.58%	2.68%	-1.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16%	3.40%	-1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.68%	4.98%	-2.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.17%	5.48%	-3.31%

VSGDX vs. AHITX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSGDX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than AHITX's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSGDX vs. AHITX - Dividend Comparison

VSGDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.95%, less than AHITX's 6.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AHITX American Funds American High-Income Trust	6.27%	6.26%	6.25%	5.87%	4.17%	4.27%	5.81%	6.19%	6.31%	5.99%	5.05%	6.92%
VSGDX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares	3.95%	3.79%	3.56%	3.42%	1.78%	1.45%	1.78%	2.42%	2.02%	1.46%	1.43%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSGDX and AHITX in my portfolio?

VSGDX and AHITX have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSGDX or AHITX?

AHITX has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to VSGDX (0.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSGDX dropped -7.29% vs AHITX's -34.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AHITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 1.82), 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.