Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares

Frequently Asked Questions About VFISX

What does VFISX invest in?

This fund primarily invests in U.S. government debt, dedicating at least 80% of its assets to Treasury bills, notes, or bonds (including inflation-protected securities). It may also include debt issued by federal agencies that are sponsored, guaranteed, or owned by the federal government. A notable risk is that changes in interest rates could eventually diminish the fund's income. Although these short-term bond funds typically offer higher yields than money market funds, their share price, unlike money markets, is subject to fluctuation. This fund could be suitable for investors with short-term savings objectives who are prepared to accept some level of price volatility.

What is the expense ratio of VFISX?

Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VFISX) charges an expense ratio of 0.20%. This is the annual fee deducted from fund assets to cover management and operations.

What is VFISX's dividend yield?

VFISX's trailing-twelve-month yield is 3.83%, calculated from the sum of dividends over the past year divided by the current price.

What is the duration of VFISX?

Effective duration measures VFISX's sensitivity to interest-rate changes: a duration of 6 means a 1% rate move shifts NAV by roughly 6% in the opposite direction. VFISX's current duration is published on the fund's factsheet on the issuer's website.

What is the credit quality of VFISX?

VFISX's credit quality breakdown (the share of holdings rated AAA through CCC and below) is published on the fund's factsheet. Higher-quality (investment-grade) funds yield less but carry less default risk than high-yield / junk bond funds.

What is the yield to maturity of VFISX?

Yield to maturity (YTM) is the total return you'd earn from VFISX if every bond in the portfolio is held to maturity at the current price. VFISX's YTM is published on the fund's factsheet on the issuer's website. It differs from the trailing-12-month yield because YTM reflects current bond prices rather than historical income paid.