VSTBX vs. VICSX
VSTBX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VICSX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Corporate Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VSTBX returned 3.01%/yr vs 2.98%/yr for VICSX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSTBX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VICSX.
Performance
VSTBX vs. VICSX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSTBX achieves a 0.73% return, which is significantly higher than VICSX's 0.36% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VSTBX having a 3.01% annualized return and VICSX not far behind at 2.98%.
VSTBX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.30%
- YTD
- 0.73%
- 6M
- 1.00%
- 1Y
- 4.66%
- 3Y*
- 5.68%
- 5Y*
- 2.43%
- 10Y*
- 3.01%
VICSX
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.59%
- YTD
- 0.36%
- 6M
- 0.32%
- 1Y
- 6.40%
- 3Y*
- 6.24%
- 5Y*
- 1.40%
- 10Y*
- 2.98%
VSTBX vs. VICSX - 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% |
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.36% | 9.36% | 3.66% | 8.88% | -14.09% | -1.56% | 9.52% | 13.99% | -1.73% | 5.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSTBX and VICSX is 0.92, 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 | 0.92 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.90 |
The correlation between VSTBX and VICSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VSTBX vs. VICSX — Risk / Return Rank
VSTBX
VICSX
VSTBX vs. VICSX - 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 Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX). 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 | VICSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.72 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.54 | 1.30 | +0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.57 | 2.19 | +1.37 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.23 | 7.29 | +6.95 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VSTBX | VICSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.67 | 1.67 | +1.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.90 | 0.23 | +0.67 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 1.27 | 0.56 | +0.71 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.47 | 0.85 | +0.61 |
Drawdowns
VSTBX vs. VICSX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSTBX drawdown since its inception was -9.34%, smaller than the maximum VICSX drawdown of -20.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTBX and VICSX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VSTBX | VICSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.34% | -20.53% | +11.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.31% | -2.98% | +1.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.31% | -6.02% | +4.71% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.34% | -20.53% | +11.19% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -9.34% | -20.53% | +11.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.24% | -1.17% | +0.93% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.96% | -3.16% | +2.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.33% | 0.89% | -0.56% |
Volatility
VSTBX vs. VICSX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSTBX) is 0.57%, while Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX) has a volatility of 1.37%. This indicates that VSTBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VICSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VSTBX | VICSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.57% | 1.37% | -0.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.27% | 2.90% | -1.63% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.76% | 3.93% | -2.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.71% | 6.17% | -3.46% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.38% | 5.34% | -2.96% |
VSTBX vs. VICSX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSTBX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VICSX's 0.07% 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. VICSX - Dividend Comparison
VSTBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.44%, less than VICSX's 4.76% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 4.76% | 4.59% | 4.77% | 3.70% | 3.00% | 2.76% | 2.77% | 3.35% | 3.62% | 3.22% | 3.03% | 3.36% |
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
With a correlation of 0.92, VSTBX and VICSX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VICSX has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to VSTBX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTBX dropped -9.34% vs VICSX's -20.53%.
VSTBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.67), 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.
Find the right allocation for VSTBX and VICSX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer