VTSAX vs. BSV

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) are both funds - VTSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while BSV is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, VTSAX returned 15.02%/yr vs 1.93%/yr for BSV. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. VTSAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BSV.

Performance

VTSAX vs. BSV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTSAX achieves a 11.69% return, which is significantly higher than BSV's 0.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VTSAX has outperformed BSV with an annualized return of 15.02%, while BSV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.93% annualized return.

VTSAX

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 3.12%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.22%
• 1Y: 29.33%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 12.79%
• 10Y*: 15.02%

BSV

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -0.36%
• YTD: 0.11%
• 6M: 0.49%
• 1Y: 3.38%
• 3Y*: 4.36%
• 5Y*: 1.58%
• 10Y*: 1.93%

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

VTSAX vs. BSV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.69%	17.12%	23.23%	26.51%	-19.52%	25.72%	20.98%	30.79%	-5.18%	21.16%
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	0.11%	6.00%	3.78%	4.90%	-5.49%	-1.09%	4.70%	4.98%	1.34%	1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between VTSAX and BSV is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007	-0.13

The correlation between VTSAX and BSV shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (all time) to 0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTSAX vs. BSV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTSAX

VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

BSV

BSV Risk / Return Rank: 58
BSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
BSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
BSV Omega Ratio Rank: 59
BSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
BSV Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

VTSAX vs. BSV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV). 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.

	VTSAX	BSV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.87	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	2.96	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.35	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.24	2.63	+0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.93	9.17	+5.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTSAX vs. BSV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the BSV Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSAX and BSV, 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

	VTSAX	BSV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	1.87	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.58	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.81	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.85	-0.38

Drawdowns

VTSAX vs. BSV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSAX drawdown since its inception was -55.33%, which is greater than BSV's maximum drawdown of -8.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSAX and BSV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTSAX	BSV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.33%	-8.54%	-46.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-1.29%	-7.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-1.53%	-17.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-8.54%	-16.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.97%	-8.54%	-26.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	-0.81%	+0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.00%	-0.97%	-8.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	0.37%	+1.56%

Volatility

VTSAX vs. BSV - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) has a higher volatility of 3.00% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) at 0.55%. This indicates that VTSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BSV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTSAX	BSV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.00%	0.55%	+2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.21%	1.28%	+7.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.21%	1.81%	+10.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.36%	2.73%	+14.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	2.37%	+16.04%

VTSAX vs. BSV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTSAX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than BSV's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTSAX vs. BSV - Dividend Comparison

VTSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than BSV's 4.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	4.00%	3.83%	3.38%	2.46%	1.50%	1.45%	1.79%	2.29%	1.99%	1.65%	1.48%	1.40%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.00%	1.11%	1.26%	1.42%	1.65%	1.20%	1.41%	1.76%	2.03%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTSAX and BSV in my portfolio?

VTSAX and BSV have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTSAX or BSV?

VTSAX has higher volatility (3.00%) compared to BSV (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSAX dropped -55.33% vs BSV's -8.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.87), 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.