ABNDX vs. VBND

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ABNDX (American Funds The Bond Fund of America) and VBND (Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF) are both funds - ABNDX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by American Funds, while VBND is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy Index. Over the past 10 years, ABNDX returned 1.68%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBND. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ABNDX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for VBND.

Performance

ABNDX vs. VBND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds The Bond Fund of America (ABNDX) and Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ABNDX achieves a 0.10% return, which is significantly lower than VBND's 0.39% return. Over the past 10 years, ABNDX has outperformed VBND with an annualized return of 1.68%, while VBND has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.

ABNDX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 0.10%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 5.03%
• 3Y*: 3.67%
• 5Y*: -0.20%
• 10Y*: 1.68%

VBND

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 0.39%
• 6M: 0.57%
• 1Y: 5.65%
• 3Y*: 4.74%
• 5Y*: 0.41%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

ABNDX vs. VBND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ABNDX American Funds The Bond Fund of America	0.10%	7.16%	1.17%	4.34%	-13.24%	-1.33%	10.72%	7.83%	-0.12%	3.21%
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	0.39%	7.31%	1.26%	8.16%	-14.18%	-0.43%	5.37%	9.50%	-0.96%	3.15%

Correlation

The correlation between ABNDX and VBND is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2014	0.83

The correlation between ABNDX and VBND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ABNDX vs. VBND — Risk / Return Rank

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

ABNDX

ABNDX Risk / Return Rank: 19
ABNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
ABNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
ABNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
ABNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
ABNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

VBND

VBND Risk / Return Rank: 37
VBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VBND Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VBND Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

ABNDX vs. VBND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Bond Fund of America (ABNDX) and Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND). 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.

	ABNDX	VBND	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	1.30	-0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	1.97	-0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.23	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	2.01	-0.40
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.83	5.41	-0.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ABNDX vs. VBND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ABNDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is comparable to the VBND Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ABNDX and VBND, 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

	ABNDX	VBND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.29	1.30	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03	0.07	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.29	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	0.31	+0.69

Drawdowns

ABNDX vs. VBND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ABNDX drawdown since its inception was -18.18%, roughly equal to the maximum VBND drawdown of -18.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABNDX and VBND.

Drawdown Indicators

	ABNDX	VBND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.18%	-18.97%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.13%	-2.82%	-0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.19%	-4.60%	-1.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.15%	-18.97%	+0.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.18%	-18.97%	+0.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.07%	-0.87%	-2.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.22%	-4.21%	+0.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	1.05%	-0.01%

Volatility

ABNDX vs. VBND - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds The Bond Fund of America (ABNDX) is 1.39%, while Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) has a volatility of 1.49%. This indicates that ABNDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ABNDX	VBND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	1.49%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.81%	2.91%	-0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.93%	4.37%	-0.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.95%	6.12%	-0.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.88%	5.45%	-0.57%

ABNDX vs. VBND - Expense Ratio Comparison

ABNDX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than VBND's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

ABNDX vs. VBND - Dividend Comparison

ABNDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.14%, less than VBND's 4.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABNDX American Funds The Bond Fund of America	4.14%	4.13%	4.30%	3.24%	2.17%	1.62%	5.03%	3.49%	2.38%	1.84%	1.77%	2.00%
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	4.23%	4.22%	4.41%	3.88%	2.55%	1.56%	1.98%	3.14%	2.82%	2.00%	3.12%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ABNDX and VBND in my portfolio?

ABNDX and VBND have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ABNDX or VBND?

VBND has higher volatility (1.49%) compared to ABNDX (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABNDX dropped -18.18% vs VBND's -18.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 1.29), 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.