VTPSX vs. VSGDX

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

VTPSX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) and VSGDX (Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VTPSX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VSGDX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTPSX returned 9.79%/yr vs 1.87%/yr for VSGDX. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. VTPSX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VSGDX.

Performance

VTPSX vs. VSGDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX) and Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTPSX achieves a 13.05% return, which is significantly higher than VSGDX's 0.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VTPSX has outperformed VSGDX with an annualized return of 9.79%, while VSGDX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.87% annualized return.

VTPSX

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -0.53%
• 6M: 9.61%
• YTD: 13.05%
• 1Y: 26.53%
• 3Y*: 18.91%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: 9.79%

VSGDX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.14%
• 6M: 0.69%
• YTD: 0.69%
• 1Y: 3.50%
• 3Y*: 4.83%
• 5Y*: 1.71%
• 10Y*: 1.87%

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

VTPSX vs. VSGDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTPSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	13.05%	32.25%	5.39%	15.31%	-15.99%	8.64%	11.29%	21.57%	-14.40%	27.56%
VSGDX Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares	0.69%	5.94%	4.26%	3.92%	-5.22%	-0.58%	4.46%	4.21%	1.37%	0.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VTPSX and VSGDX is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2010	-0.03

The correlation between VTPSX and VSGDX shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTPSX vs. VSGDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTPSX

VTPSX Risk / Return Rank: 56
VTPSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VTPSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VTPSX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VTPSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VTPSX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

VSGDX

VSGDX Risk / Return Rank: 62
VSGDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VSGDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VSGDX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VSGDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VSGDX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

VTPSX vs. VSGDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX) and Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX). 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.

	VTPSX	VSGDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	1.61	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.68	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.33	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.54	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.80	8.72	+0.08

VTPSX vs. VSGDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTPSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the VSGDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTPSX and VSGDX, 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

VTPSX vs. VSGDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTPSX drawdown since its inception was -35.77%, which is greater than VSGDX's maximum drawdown of -7.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTPSX and VSGDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTPSX	VSGDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.77%	-7.29%	-28.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-1.35%	-9.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	-1.35%	-11.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.49%	-7.29%	-22.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.77%	-7.29%	-28.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.40%	-0.34%	-2.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.01%	-0.73%	-7.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	0.39%	+2.56%

Volatility

VTPSX vs. VSGDX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX) has a higher volatility of 6.22% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Federal Fund Admiral Shares (VSGDX) at 0.68%. This indicates that VTPSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSGDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTPSX	VSGDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.22%	0.68%	+5.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.66%	1.67%	+11.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.55%	2.12%	+13.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.29%	2.70%	+12.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.78%	2.17%	+13.61%

VTPSX vs. VSGDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTPSX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VSGDX'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

VTPSX vs. VSGDX - Dividend Comparison

VTPSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than VSGDX's 3.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VTPSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.58%	3.18%	3.37%	3.25%	3.09%	3.09%	2.13%	3.08%	3.20%	2.77%	2.97%	2.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTPSX and VSGDX in my portfolio?

VTPSX and VSGDX have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTPSX or VSGDX?

VTPSX has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to VSGDX (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTPSX dropped -35.77% vs VSGDX's -7.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTPSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.61), 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.