ABNDX vs. VBMPX
ABNDX (The Bond Fund of America Class A) and VBMPX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - ABNDX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by American Funds, while VBMPX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. ABNDX is actively managed, while VBMPX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ABNDX returned 1.42%/yr vs 1.34%/yr for VBMPX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ABNDX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VBMPX.
Performance
ABNDX vs. VBMPX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ABNDX achieves a -1.17% return, which is significantly lower than VBMPX's -0.69% return. Over the past 10 years, ABNDX has outperformed VBMPX with an annualized return of 1.42%, while VBMPX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.34% annualized return.
ABNDX
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- -1.33%
- 6M
- -1.23%
- YTD
- -1.17%
- 1Y
- 1.16%
- 3Y*
- 3.57%
- 5Y*
- -0.87%
- 10Y*
- 1.42%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.15%
VBMPX
- 1D
- 0.21%
- 1M
- -1.25%
- 6M
- -0.82%
- YTD
- -0.69%
- 1Y
- 1.58%
- 3Y*
- 3.96%
- 5Y*
- -0.49%
- 10Y*
- 1.34%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.23%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
ABNDX vs. VBMPX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABNDX The Bond Fund of America Class A | -1.17% | 7.16% | 1.17% | 4.34% | -13.24% | -1.33% | 10.72% | 7.83% | -0.12% | 3.21% |
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | -0.69% | 7.18% | 1.27% | 5.75% | -13.14% | -1.95% | 7.75% | 8.74% | -0.24% | 3.58% |
Correlation
The correlation between ABNDX and VBMPX is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2010 | 0.95 |
The correlation between ABNDX and VBMPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ABNDX vs. VBMPX — Risk / Return Rank
ABNDX
VBMPX
ABNDX vs. VBMPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Bond Fund of America Class A (ABNDX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX). 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.
| ABNDX | VBMPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.06 | 1.08 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.40 | 0.59 | -0.18 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.95 | 1.44 | -0.48 |
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Drawdowns
ABNDX vs. VBMPX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ABNDX drawdown since its inception was -18.18%, roughly equal to the maximum VBMPX drawdown of -18.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABNDX and VBMPX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ABNDX | VBMPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.18% | -18.90% | +0.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.13% | -2.89% | -0.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.15% | -4.86% | -0.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.14% | -17.97% | -0.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.18% | -18.90% | +0.72% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.29% | -3.33% | -0.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.22% | -3.52% | +0.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.31% | 1.17% | +0.14% |
Volatility
ABNDX vs. VBMPX - Volatility Comparison
The Bond Fund of America Class A (ABNDX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX) have volatilities of 1.00% and 1.00%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| ABNDX | VBMPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.00% | 1.00% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.00% | 2.97% | +0.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.69% | 3.73% | -0.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.97% | 6.02% | -0.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.89% | 4.98% | -0.09% |
ABNDX vs. VBMPX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ABNDX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VBMPX's 0.02% expense ratio.
Dividends
ABNDX vs. VBMPX - Dividend Comparison
ABNDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.84%, more than VBMPX's 3.73% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABNDX The Bond Fund of America Class A | 3.84% | 4.13% | 4.30% | 3.24% | 2.17% | 1.62% | 5.03% | 3.49% | 2.38% | 1.84% | 1.77% | 2.00% |
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 3.73% | 3.88% | 3.69% | 3.11% | 2.61% | 1.81% | 2.41% | 2.75% | 2.58% | 2.58% | 2.55% | 2.85% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, ABNDX and VBMPX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VBMPX has higher volatility (1.00%) compared to ABNDX (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABNDX dropped -18.18% vs VBMPX's -18.90%.
VBMPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.45 vs 0.34), 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.
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