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 −0.26% over the past year and −2.27% YTD, with dividends reinvested. Since May 15, 1986, VWSTX is up +5.15% in real purchasing-power return, or +0.13%/yr, and is currently −18.88% below its real total-return high on Jan. 15, 2009.

Thu 1986-05-15? to Fri 2026-05-22 YTD
Return
1 Year
Return
VWSTX
×
−2.27%
2026-05-22
−0.26%
2026-05-22
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares Mutual Fund

Returns

Thu 1986-05-15? to Fri 2026-05-22 Overall
Return
Exponential
Trendline
VWSTX
×
+5.15%
+0.13%/yr
+0.20%/yr
(R2=0.089)
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares Mutual Fund

Growth of $10,000

Thu 1986-05-15? to Fri 2026-05-22 Start
Value
End
Value
VWSTX
×
$10,000.00
1986-05-15
$10,515.00
2026-05-22
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares Mutual Fund

Annual Returns

Year VWSTX
2026 (YTD) −2.27%
2025 +1.25%
2024 +0.24%
2023 +0.50%
2022 −6.84%
2021 −6.41%
2020 +0.45%
2019 +0.10%
2018 −0.32%
2017 −1.10%
2016 −1.68%
2015 −0.28%
2014 −0.11%
2013 −1.02%
2012 −0.72%
2011 −1.33%
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 +2.35%
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 +2.27%

Drawdowns

Thu 1986-05-15? to Fri 2026-05-22 Current
Drawdown
Worst
Drawdown
VWSTX
×
−18.88%
from 2009-01-15 peak
−20.62%
2023-09-28
from 2009-01-15 peak
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares Mutual Fund

Rolling Returns

Period ending Fri 2026-05-22 1
Year
2
Years
3
Years
5
Years
10
Years
VWSTX
×
−0.26% +1.02%
+0.51%/yr
+1.40%
+0.46%/yr
−10.51%
−2.20%/yr
−14.46%
−1.55%/yr
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares Mutual Fund