VSMIX vs. GPICX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSMIX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) and GPICX (GuidepathConservative Income Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, VSMIX returned 19.87%/yr vs 2.42%/yr for GPICX. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VSMIX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GPICX.

Performance

VSMIX vs. GPICX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VSMIX) and GuidepathConservative Income Fund (GPICX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSMIX achieves a 31.47% return, which is significantly higher than GPICX's 0.99% return.

VSMIX

• 1D: 3.56%
• 1M: 7.76%
• YTD: 31.47%
• 6M: 33.25%
• 1Y: 62.50%
• 3Y*: 33.02%
• 5Y*: 19.87%
• 10Y*: 18.06%

GPICX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.99%
• 6M: 1.28%
• 1Y: 3.43%
• 3Y*: 4.09%
• 5Y*: 2.42%
• 10Y*: —

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

VSMIX vs. GPICX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VSMIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	31.47%	18.01%	24.82%	23.14%	4.58%	36.67%	11.14%	32.32%	-27.75%
GPICX GuidepathConservative Income Fund	0.99%	3.49%	4.73%	4.87%	-1.67%	0.08%	-0.23%	2.30%	0.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VSMIX and GPICX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2018	0.21

Return for Risk

VSMIX vs. GPICX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSMIX

VSMIX Risk / Return Rank: 89
VSMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
VSMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
VSMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VSMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VSMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

GPICX

GPICX Risk / Return Rank: 99
GPICX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
GPICX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
GPICX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
GPICX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
GPICX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

VSMIX vs. GPICX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VSMIX) and GuidepathConservative Income Fund (GPICX). 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.

	VSMIX	GPICX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.21	4.17	-0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	7.91	-3.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	2.84	-1.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.82	13.88	-8.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.62	69.49	-48.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSMIX vs. GPICX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSMIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.21, which is comparable to the GPICX Sharpe Ratio of 4.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSMIX and GPICX, 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

	VSMIX	GPICX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.21	4.17	-0.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	2.21	-1.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	1.80	-1.31

Drawdowns

VSMIX vs. GPICX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSMIX drawdown since its inception was -57.53%, which is greater than GPICX's maximum drawdown of -3.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSMIX and GPICX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSMIX	GPICX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.53%	-3.10%	-54.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.39%	-0.25%	-11.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.26%	-0.52%	-24.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.26%	-2.79%	-22.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.52%	-0.56%	-8.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	0.05%	+3.15%

Volatility

VSMIX vs. GPICX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VSMIX) has a higher volatility of 6.33% compared to GuidepathConservative Income Fund (GPICX) at 0.27%. This indicates that VSMIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GPICX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSMIX	GPICX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.33%	0.27%	+6.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.87%	0.62%	+15.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.66%	0.83%	+19.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.18%	1.10%	+22.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.72%	1.06%	+25.66%

VSMIX vs. GPICX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSMIX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than GPICX's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSMIX vs. GPICX - Dividend Comparison

VSMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.49%, more than GPICX's 3.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GPICX GuidepathConservative Income Fund	3.80%	3.86%	4.53%	4.23%	1.51%	0.48%	0.57%	1.67%	1.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSMIX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares	6.49%	8.53%	7.40%	4.71%	9.53%	15.84%	0.40%	2.37%	26.83%	15.94%	1.65%	10.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSMIX and GPICX in my portfolio?

VSMIX and GPICX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSMIX or GPICX?

VSMIX has higher volatility (6.33%) compared to GPICX (0.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSMIX dropped -57.53% vs GPICX's -3.10%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GPICX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.17 vs 3.21), 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.