VSGDX vs. PRRIX
VSGDX (Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares) and PRRIX (PIMCO Real Return Fund) are both mutual funds - VSGDX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while PRRIX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by PIMCO. Over the past 10 years, VSGDX returned 1.87%/yr vs 2.78%/yr for PRRIX. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSGDX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for PRRIX.
Performance
VSGDX vs. PRRIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSGDX achieves a 0.35% return, which is significantly lower than PRRIX's 0.49% return. Over the past 10 years, VSGDX has underperformed PRRIX with an annualized return of 1.87%, while PRRIX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.78% annualized return.
VSGDX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.23%
- YTD
- 0.35%
- 6M
- 0.67%
- 1Y
- 3.61%
- 3Y*
- 4.57%
- 5Y*
- 1.67%
- 10Y*
- 1.87%
PRRIX
- 1D
- 0.20%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 0.49%
- 6M
- 0.94%
- 1Y
- 4.42%
- 3Y*
- 4.33%
- 5Y*
- 1.00%
- 10Y*
- 2.78%
VSGDX vs. PRRIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSGDX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares | 0.35% | 5.94% | 4.26% | 3.92% | -5.22% | -0.58% | 4.46% | 4.21% | 1.37% | 0.80% |
PRRIX PIMCO Real Return Fund | 0.49% | 8.19% | 2.60% | 3.29% | -13.27% | 5.70% | 12.11% | 8.53% | -1.96% | 4.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSGDX and PRRIX is 0.75, 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 | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2001 | 0.66 |
The correlation between VSGDX and PRRIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (10 years) to 0.76 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VSGDX vs. PRRIX — Risk / Return Rank
VSGDX
PRRIX
VSGDX vs. PRRIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) and PIMCO Real Return Fund (PRRIX). 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.
| VSGDX | PRRIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.22 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.69 | 1.75 | +0.93 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.21 | 6.01 | +3.20 |
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Drawdowns
VSGDX vs. PRRIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSGDX drawdown since its inception was -7.29%, smaller than the maximum PRRIX drawdown of -19.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSGDX and PRRIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSGDX | PRRIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -7.29% | -19.25% | +11.96% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.35% | -2.66% | +1.31% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.35% | -4.51% | +3.16% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.29% | -15.76% | +8.47% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -7.29% | -15.76% | +8.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.67% | -1.16% | +0.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.73% | -3.17% | +2.44% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.39% | 0.77% | -0.38% |
Volatility
VSGDX vs. PRRIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) is 0.83%, while PIMCO Real Return Fund (PRRIX) has a volatility of 1.76%. This indicates that VSGDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PRRIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSGDX | PRRIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.83% | 1.76% | -0.93% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.65% | 3.06% | -1.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.18% | 3.96% | -1.78% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.69% | 6.27% | -3.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.17% | 5.65% | -3.48% |
VSGDX vs. PRRIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSGDX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than PRRIX's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
VSGDX vs. PRRIX - Dividend Comparison
VSGDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.96%, less than PRRIX's 4.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRRIX PIMCO Real Return Fund | 4.18% | 3.92% | 3.17% | 2.83% | 7.38% | 5.12% | 2.62% | 1.91% | 2.70% | 2.57% | 1.10% | 0.99% |
VSGDX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares | 3.96% | 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
VSGDX and PRRIX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PRRIX has higher volatility (1.76%) compared to VSGDX (0.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSGDX dropped -7.29% vs PRRIX's -19.25%.
VSGDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.18), 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.
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