ABNFX vs. VCORX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ABNFX (American Funds The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2) and VCORX (Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - ABNFX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by American Funds, while VCORX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, ABNFX returned 1.93%/yr vs 2.17%/yr for VCORX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ABNFX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VCORX.

Performance

ABNFX vs. VCORX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2 (ABNFX) and Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares (VCORX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ABNFX achieves a 0.19% return, which is significantly lower than VCORX's 0.50% return. Over the past 10 years, ABNFX has underperformed VCORX with an annualized return of 1.93%, while VCORX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.17% annualized return.

ABNFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 0.19%
• 6M: 0.12%
• 1Y: 5.28%
• 3Y*: 3.92%
• 5Y*: 0.01%
• 10Y*: 1.93%

VCORX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 0.50%
• 6M: 0.37%
• 1Y: 5.63%
• 3Y*: 4.65%
• 5Y*: 0.47%
• 10Y*: 2.17%

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

ABNFX vs. VCORX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ABNFX American Funds The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2	0.19%	7.42%	1.42%	4.29%	-13.08%	-0.88%	10.86%	8.08%	0.15%	3.48%
VCORX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares	0.50%	7.68%	2.10%	5.90%	-13.27%	-0.80%	10.19%	9.47%	-0.92%	4.34%

Correlation

The correlation between ABNFX and VCORX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2016	0.94

The correlation between ABNFX and VCORX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ABNFX vs. VCORX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ABNFX

ABNFX Risk / Return Rank: 21
ABNFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
ABNFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
ABNFX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
ABNFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
ABNFX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

VCORX

VCORX Risk / Return Rank: 29
VCORX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
VCORX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
VCORX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
VCORX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VCORX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

ABNFX vs. VCORX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2 (ABNFX) and Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares (VCORX). 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.

	ABNFX	VCORX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	1.51	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	2.26	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.28	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	2.14	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.13	6.47	-1.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ABNFX vs. VCORX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ABNFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is comparable to the VCORX Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ABNFX and VCORX, 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

	ABNFX	VCORX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.34	1.51	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.00	0.08	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.45	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.48	+0.18

Drawdowns

ABNFX vs. VCORX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ABNFX drawdown since its inception was -17.69%, roughly equal to the maximum VCORX drawdown of -18.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABNFX and VCORX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ABNFX	VCORX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.69%	-18.14%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.09%	-2.64%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.12%	-5.99%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.65%	-18.14%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.69%	-18.14%	+0.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	-1.28%	-0.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.29%	-4.26%	+0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.03%	0.87%	+0.16%

Volatility

ABNFX vs. VCORX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2 (ABNFX) and Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares (VCORX) have volatilities of 1.40% and 1.35%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	ABNFX	VCORX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.40%	1.35%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.83%	2.70%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.95%	3.77%	+0.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.96%	5.80%	+0.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.89%	4.80%	+0.09%

ABNFX vs. VCORX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ABNFX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VCORX's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

ABNFX vs. VCORX - Dividend Comparison

ABNFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.38%, less than VCORX's 4.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABNFX American Funds The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2	4.38%	4.37%	4.55%	3.19%	2.37%	2.07%	5.15%	3.72%	2.65%	2.10%	2.31%	2.24%
VCORX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares	4.64%	4.70%	4.93%	3.99%	2.90%	1.91%	2.95%	2.93%	2.98%	2.62%	2.20%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ABNFX and VCORX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, ABNFX and VCORX 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.

Which is riskier, ABNFX or VCORX?

ABNFX has higher volatility (1.40%) compared to VCORX (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABNFX dropped -17.69% vs VCORX's -18.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCORX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 1.34), 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.