All charts and data below are CPI-U inflation-adjusted and with dividends reinvested. (Why?)

Total Real Returns

VWSTX: Total Real Return Chart (Dividends Reinvested, Inflation Adjusted)

VWSTX real return snapshot: after CPI-U inflation, VWSTX returned −1.72% over the past year and −2.57% YTD, with dividends reinvested. Since Dec. 26, 1979, VWSTX is up +15.19% in real purchasing-power return, or +0.30%/yr, and is currently −19.12% below its real total-return high on Jan. 15, 2009.

Data ending Fri Oct. 23, 2026

Growth of $10,000

Wed 1979-12-26💬 to Fri 2026-10-23 Overall
Return 		Exponential
Trendline
VWSTX × 		+15.19%
+0.30%/yr 		+0.51%/yr
R2=0.355
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares Mutual Fund

Growth of $10,000 Summary

Wed 1979-12-26💬 to Fri 2026-10-23 Start
Value 		End
Value
VWSTX × 		$10,000.00
1979-12-26 		$11,519.33
2026-10-23

This Year’s Performance

through 2026-10-23

  YTD YoY
VWSTX × 		−2.57% −1.72%

Drawdowns

  Current
Drawdown 		Worst
Drawdown
VWSTX × 		−19.12%
on 2026-10-23
from 2009-01-15 peak 		−20.62%
on 2023-09-28
from 2009-01-15 peak

Rolling Returns

Period ending Fri 2026-10-23 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 5 yr 10 yr
VWSTX × 		−1.72% −0.63%
−0.31%/yr 		+1.65%
+0.55%/yr 		−8.31%
−1.72%/yr 		−14.25%
−1.53%/yr

Annual Returns

Year VWSTX
2026 (YTD) −2.57%
2025 +1.25%
2024 +0.24%
2023 +0.50%
2022 −6.84%
2021 −6.41%
2020 +0.45%
2019 +0.10%
2018 −0.31%
2017 −1.10%
2016 −1.68%
2015 −0.28%
2014 −0.11%
2013 −1.02%
2012 −0.72%
2011 −1.32%
2010 −0.66%
2009 +0.35%
2008 +3.66%
2007 +0.12%
2006 +0.48%
2005 −1.71%
2004 −2.06%
2003 −0.24%
2002 +1.19%
2001 +3.18%
2000 +1.49%
1999 −0.34%
1998 +2.68%
1997 +2.36%
1996 +0.36%
1995 +3.37%
1994 −1.00%
1993 +1.13%
1992 +1.81%
1991 +4.08%
1990 +0.53%
1989 +2.30%
1988 +1.18%
1987 −0.97%
1986 +6.18%
1985 +3.08%
1984 +2.79%
1983 +1.26%
1982 +6.13%
1981 −0.54%
1980 −6.40%
1979 −0.17%