VSTBX vs. VFSUX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VSTBX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VFSUX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VSTBX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while VFSUX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VSTBX returned 2.99%/yr vs 2.60%/yr for VFSUX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSTBX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFSUX.

Performance

VSTBX vs. VFSUX - 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 Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFSUX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSTBX achieves a 0.73% return, which is significantly higher than VFSUX's 0.53% return. Over the past 10 years, VSTBX has outperformed VFSUX with an annualized return of 2.99%, while VFSUX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.60% annualized return.

VSTBX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 4.27%
• 3Y*: 5.73%
• 5Y*: 2.45%
• 10Y*: 2.99%

VFSUX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.53%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 4.40%
• 3Y*: 5.63%
• 5Y*: 2.38%
• 10Y*: 2.60%

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

VSTBX vs. VFSUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSTBX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.73%	6.75%	5.37%	6.17%	-5.73%	-0.41%	5.07%	9.68%	0.92%	2.48%
VFSUX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	0.53%	6.87%	5.08%	6.17%	-5.75%	-0.62%	5.26%	5.85%	0.98%	2.13%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTBX and VFSUX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2009	0.82

The correlation between VSTBX and VFSUX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSTBX vs. VFSUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSTBX

VSTBX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VSTBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VSTBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VSTBX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
VSTBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VSTBX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

VFSUX

VFSUX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VFSUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VFSUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
VFSUX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VFSUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VFSUX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. VFSUX - 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 Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFSUX). 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.

	VSTBX	VFSUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	1.89	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.79	3.31	+0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.43	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	2.59	+0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.18	10.04	+3.14

VSTBX vs. VFSUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is higher than the VFSUX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTBX and VFSUX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VSTBX vs. VFSUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTBX drawdown since its inception was -9.34%, roughly equal to the maximum VFSUX drawdown of -9.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTBX and VFSUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTBX	VFSUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.34%	-9.24%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.31%	-1.71%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.31%	-1.71%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.34%	-9.24%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.34%	-9.24%	-0.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-0.52%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.95%	-0.87%	-0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.33%	0.44%	-0.11%

Volatility

VSTBX vs. VFSUX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX) is 0.66%, while Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFSUX) has a volatility of 0.80%. This indicates that VSTBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFSUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTBX	VFSUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.66%	0.80%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.34%	1.73%	-0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.78%	2.33%	-0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.72%	2.99%	-0.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.38%	2.49%	-0.11%

VSTBX vs. VFSUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTBX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VFSUX's 0.10% 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. VFSUX - Dividend Comparison

VSTBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.44%, less than VFSUX's 4.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFSUX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	4.73%	4.59%	4.16%	3.14%	2.03%	1.79%	2.34%	2.92%	2.79%	2.11%	2.14%	2.09%
VSTBX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.44%	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 VFSUX in my portfolio?

VSTBX and VFSUX have a correlation of 0.84, 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 VFSUX?

VFSUX has higher volatility (0.80%) compared to VSTBX (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTBX dropped -9.34% vs VFSUX's -9.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.89), 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.