VSTBX vs. PBBBX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VSTBX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) and PBBBX (PIA BBB Bond Fund) are both Corporate Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, VSTBX returned 3.00%/yr vs 2.89%/yr for PBBBX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSTBX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PBBBX.

Performance

VSTBX vs. PBBBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX) and PIA BBB Bond Fund (PBBBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSTBX achieves a 0.66% return, which is significantly higher than PBBBX's 0.13% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VSTBX having a 3.00% annualized return and PBBBX not far behind at 2.89%.

VSTBX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.66%
• 6M: 1.00%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 5.65%
• 5Y*: 2.39%
• 10Y*: 3.00%

PBBBX

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 0.13%
• 6M: 0.32%
• 1Y: 5.43%
• 3Y*: 5.62%
• 5Y*: 0.57%
• 10Y*: 2.89%

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

VSTBX vs. PBBBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSTBX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.66%	6.75%	5.37%	6.17%	-5.73%	-0.41%	5.07%	9.68%	0.92%	2.48%
PBBBX PIA BBB Bond Fund	0.13%	8.14%	2.41%	9.19%	-16.35%	-1.20%	9.37%	16.49%	-3.02%	7.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTBX and PBBBX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2009	0.78

The correlation between VSTBX and PBBBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSTBX vs. PBBBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSTBX

VSTBX Risk / Return Rank: 79
VSTBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VSTBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VSTBX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VSTBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VSTBX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

PBBBX

PBBBX Risk / Return Rank: 26
PBBBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
PBBBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
PBBBX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
PBBBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
PBBBX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

VSTBX vs. PBBBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX) and PIA BBB Bond Fund (PBBBX). 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.

	VSTBX	PBBBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	1.47	+1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.09	2.16	+1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.27	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.50	1.84	+1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.97	5.76	+8.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSTBX vs. PBBBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is higher than the PBBBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTBX and PBBBX, 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

	VSTBX	PBBBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	1.47	+1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89	0.08	+0.80
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.27	0.48	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.46	0.75	+0.71

Drawdowns

VSTBX vs. PBBBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTBX drawdown since its inception was -9.34%, smaller than the maximum PBBBX drawdown of -23.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTBX and PBBBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTBX	PBBBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.34%	-23.00%	+13.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.31%	-3.30%	+1.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.31%	-6.39%	+5.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.34%	-23.00%	+13.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.34%	-23.00%	+13.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	-1.48%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.96%	-3.49%	+2.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.33%	1.05%	-0.72%

Volatility

VSTBX vs. PBBBX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX) is 0.56%, while PIA BBB Bond Fund (PBBBX) has a volatility of 1.48%. This indicates that VSTBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PBBBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTBX	PBBBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.56%	1.48%	-0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.26%	3.05%	-1.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.76%	4.14%	-2.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.71%	6.69%	-3.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.38%	6.02%	-3.64%

VSTBX vs. PBBBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTBX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than PBBBX's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VSTBX vs. PBBBX - Dividend Comparison

VSTBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, more than PBBBX's 3.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBBBX PIA BBB Bond Fund	3.79%	4.02%	3.82%	3.57%	3.24%	2.85%	3.16%	3.78%	4.20%	3.75%	3.95%	4.12%
VSTBX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.45%	4.34%	4.29%	3.09%	2.00%	1.80%	2.27%	5.40%	2.67%	2.27%	1.96%	2.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTBX and PBBBX in my portfolio?

VSTBX and PBBBX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSTBX or PBBBX?

PBBBX has higher volatility (1.48%) compared to VSTBX (0.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTBX dropped -9.34% vs PBBBX's -23.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 1.47), 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.