VTSAX vs. VFSUX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VFSUX (Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VTSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VFSUX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTSAX returned 14.93%/yr vs 2.61%/yr for VFSUX. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions. VTSAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFSUX.

Performance

VTSAX vs. VFSUX - 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 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, VTSAX achieves a 9.11% return, which is significantly higher than VFSUX's 0.72% return. Over the past 10 years, VTSAX has outperformed VFSUX with an annualized return of 14.93%, while VFSUX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.61% annualized return.

VTSAX

• 1D: 1.88%
• 1M: -0.74%
• YTD: 9.11%
• 6M: 9.18%
• 1Y: 25.67%
• 3Y*: 20.72%
• 5Y*: 12.09%
• 10Y*: 14.93%

VFSUX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 1.21%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: 5.67%
• 5Y*: 2.37%
• 10Y*: 2.61%

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

VTSAX vs. VFSUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	9.11%	17.12%	23.23%	26.51%	-19.52%	25.72%	20.98%	30.79%	-5.18%	21.16%
VFSUX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	0.72%	6.87%	5.08%	6.17%	-5.75%	-0.62%	5.26%	5.85%	0.98%	2.13%

Correlation

The correlation between VTSAX and VFSUX is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2001	-0.12

The correlation between VTSAX and VFSUX shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (all time) to 0.31 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VTSAX vs. VFSUX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTSAX	VFSUX
Technology	33.3%	0.1%
Financial Services	11.9%	-
Communication Services	10.1%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	-
Industrials	9.5%	-
Healthcare	9.1%	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	-
Energy	3.8%	-
Utilities	2.7%	-
Real Estate	2.4%	0.0%
Basic Materials	2.0%	-

Return for Risk

VTSAX vs. VFSUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTSAX

VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VFSUX

VFSUX Risk / Return Rank: 77
VFSUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VFSUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VFSUX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
VFSUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VFSUX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. VFSUX - 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 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.

	VTSAX	VFSUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.00	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	3.58	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.46	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	2.71	+0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.46	10.58	+1.87

VTSAX vs. VFSUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the VFSUX Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSAX 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

VTSAX vs. VFSUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSAX drawdown since its inception was -55.33%, which is greater than VFSUX's maximum drawdown of -9.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSAX and VFSUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTSAX	VFSUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.33%	-9.24%	-46.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-1.71%	-7.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-1.71%	-17.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-9.24%	-16.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.97%	-9.24%	-25.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.56%	-0.33%	-2.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.00%	-0.87%	-8.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	0.44%	+1.54%

Volatility

VTSAX vs. VFSUX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) has a higher volatility of 4.60% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFSUX) at 0.77%. This indicates that VTSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFSUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTSAX	VFSUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	0.77%	+3.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.93%	1.69%	+8.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.71%	2.32%	+10.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.43%	2.99%	+14.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.44%	2.49%	+15.95%

VTSAX vs. VFSUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTSAX has a 0.04% 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

VTSAX vs. VFSUX - Dividend Comparison

VTSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than VFSUX's 4.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFSUX Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	4.72%	4.59%	4.16%	3.14%	2.03%	1.79%	2.34%	2.92%	2.79%	2.11%	2.14%	2.09%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.02%	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 VFSUX in my portfolio?

VTSAX and VFSUX have a correlation of 0.31, 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 VFSUX?

VTSAX has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to VFSUX (0.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSAX dropped -55.33% vs VFSUX's -9.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.94), 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.