VSGDX vs. VFSIX
VSGDX (Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares) and VFSIX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares) are both Total Bond Market funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VSGDX returned 1.87%/yr vs 2.59%/yr for VFSIX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSGDX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VFSIX.
Performance
VSGDX vs. VFSIX - 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 VFSIX's 0.54% return. Over the past 10 years, VSGDX has underperformed VFSIX with an annualized return of 1.87%, while VFSIX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.59% 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%
VFSIX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.31%
- YTD
- 0.54%
- 6M
- 0.92%
- 1Y
- 4.42%
- 3Y*
- 5.55%
- 5Y*
- 2.35%
- 10Y*
- 2.59%
VSGDX vs. VFSIX - 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% |
VFSIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares | 0.54% | 6.89% | 5.12% | 5.88% | -5.72% | -0.59% | 5.28% | 5.88% | 1.00% | 2.15% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSGDX and VFSIX is 0.83, 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 | 0.83 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2001 | 0.79 |
The correlation between VSGDX and VFSIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VSGDX vs. VFSIX — Risk / Return Rank
VSGDX
VFSIX
VSGDX vs. VFSIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX). 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 | VFSIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.43 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.69 | 2.60 | +0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.21 | 10.11 | -0.90 |
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Drawdowns
VSGDX vs. VFSIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSGDX drawdown since its inception was -7.29%, smaller than the maximum VFSIX drawdown of -9.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSGDX and VFSIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSGDX | VFSIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -7.29% | -9.21% | +1.92% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.35% | -1.71% | +0.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.35% | -1.71% | +0.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.29% | -9.21% | +1.92% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -7.29% | -9.21% | +1.92% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.67% | -0.52% | -0.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.73% | -0.79% | +0.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.39% | 0.44% | -0.05% |
Volatility
VSGDX vs. VFSIX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) and Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares (VFSIX) have volatilities of 0.83% and 0.80%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSGDX | VFSIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.83% | 0.80% | +0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.65% | 1.73% | -0.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.18% | 2.34% | -0.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.69% | 3.00% | -0.31% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.17% | 2.50% | -0.33% |
VSGDX vs. VFSIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSGDX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSIX's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VSGDX vs. VFSIX - Dividend Comparison
VSGDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.96%, less than VFSIX's 4.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFSIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Institutional Shares | 4.75% | 4.61% | 4.19% | 2.88% | 2.06% | 1.81% | 2.35% | 2.95% | 2.80% | 2.13% | 2.17% | 2.12% |
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 VFSIX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VSGDX has higher volatility (0.83%) compared to VFSIX (0.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSGDX dropped -7.29% vs VFSIX's -9.21%.
VFSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.66), 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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