VUSUX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VUSUX (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VUSUX is a Government Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VUSUX returned -1.01%/yr vs 15.63%/yr for VFIAX. At a correlation of -0.24, they often move in opposite directions. VUSUX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

VUSUX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VUSUX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUSUX achieves a -0.01% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VUSUX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of -1.01%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.63% annualized return.

VUSUX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 1.18%
• YTD: -0.01%
• 6M: -1.12%
• 1Y: 5.94%
• 3Y*: -0.37%
• 5Y*: -4.93%
• 10Y*: -1.01%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.73%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 14.24%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

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

VUSUX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUSUX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares	-0.01%	5.66%	-6.30%	3.43%	-29.51%	-4.71%	18.10%	14.26%	-1.80%	8.72%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.69%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VUSUX and VFIAX is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2001	-0.24

The correlation between VUSUX and VFIAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.24 (all time) to 0.20 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VUSUX vs. VFIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUSUX	VFIAX
Financial Services	1.8%	11.6%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%
Energy	-	3.5%
Healthcare	-	8.5%
Industrials	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.7%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

VUSUX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUSUX

VUSUX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VUSUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
VUSUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VUSUX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
VUSUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
VUSUX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

VUSUX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VUSUX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	VUSUX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	2.52	-1.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	3.42	-2.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.46	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.81	3.35	-2.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.15	15.66	-13.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VUSUX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUSUX Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUSUX and VFIAX, 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

	VUSUX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64	2.52	-1.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.34	0.85	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.07	0.87	-0.94
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.47	-0.17

Drawdowns

VUSUX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUSUX drawdown since its inception was -46.12%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSUX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUSUX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.12%	-55.20%	+9.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.18%	-8.90%	+1.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.67%	-18.75%	+1.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.34%	-24.53%	-16.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.12%	-33.83%	-12.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.99%	0.00%	-35.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.53%	-9.40%	-2.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.71%	1.90%	+0.81%

Volatility

VUSUX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VUSUX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) have volatilities of 2.72% and 2.82%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUSUX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.72%	2.82%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.18%	8.98%	-2.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.09%	11.86%	-2.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.62%	16.90%	-2.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.76%	18.07%	-4.31%

VUSUX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUSUX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% 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

VUSUX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

VUSUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.56%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
VUSUX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares	4.56%	4.39%	4.15%	3.43%	3.05%	4.46%	10.28%	2.92%	2.91%	2.74%	5.38%	5.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUSUX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

VUSUX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VUSUX or VFIAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to VUSUX (2.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUSUX dropped -46.12% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.64), 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.