ACITX vs. BND

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ACITX (American Century Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both funds - ACITX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by American Century, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, ACITX returned 2.63%/yr vs 1.55%/yr for BND. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ACITX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.

Performance

ACITX vs. BND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund (ACITX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACITX achieves a 1.24% return, which is significantly higher than BND's 0.38% return. Over the past 10 years, ACITX has outperformed BND with an annualized return of 2.63%, while BND has yielded a comparatively lower 1.55% annualized return.

ACITX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 1.33%
• 1Y: 3.98%
• 3Y*: 3.60%
• 5Y*: 0.84%
• 10Y*: 2.63%

BND

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 0.38%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 3.92%
• 5Y*: 0.04%
• 10Y*: 1.55%

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

ACITX vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACITX American Century Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund	1.24%	6.68%	1.68%	3.17%	-12.37%	6.38%	10.28%	7.85%	-1.21%	4.47%
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	0.38%	7.08%	1.38%	5.65%	-13.11%	-1.86%	7.71%	8.84%	-0.12%	3.57%

Correlation

The correlation between ACITX and BND is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007	0.77

The correlation between ACITX and BND shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (all time) to 0.89 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ACITX vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACITX

ACITX Risk / Return Rank: 27
ACITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
ACITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
ACITX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
ACITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
ACITX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

BND

BND Risk / Return Rank: 33
BND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
BND Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
BND Omega Ratio Rank: 31
BND Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BND Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

ACITX vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund (ACITX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.

	ACITX	BND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.18	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	1.76	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.21	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.05	1.64	+0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.46	4.69	+1.77

ACITX vs. BND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACITX Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the BND Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACITX and BND, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ACITX vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACITX drawdown since its inception was -15.50%, smaller than the maximum BND drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACITX and BND.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACITX	BND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.50%	-18.58%	+3.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.05%	-2.68%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.08%	-5.92%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.50%	-17.91%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.50%	-18.58%	+3.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	-2.26%	+0.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.23%	-3.06%	-0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.65%	0.93%	-0.28%

Volatility

ACITX vs. BND - Volatility Comparison

American Century Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund (ACITX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) have volatilities of 1.05% and 1.08%, 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

	ACITX	BND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	1.08%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.30%	2.77%	-0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.23%	3.74%	-0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.13%	6.03%	+0.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.50%	5.54%	-0.04%

ACITX vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACITX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACITX vs. BND - Dividend Comparison

ACITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.03%, more than BND's 3.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACITX American Century Inflation-Adjusted Bond Fund	6.03%	4.30%	2.19%	4.44%	7.34%	4.47%	1.16%	2.45%	4.31%	3.47%	2.27%	0.99%
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	3.96%	3.86%	3.67%	3.09%	2.60%	2.12%	2.38%	2.72%	2.81%	2.54%	2.51%	2.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACITX and BND in my portfolio?

ACITX and BND have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACITX or BND?

BND has higher volatility (1.08%) compared to ACITX (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACITX dropped -15.50% vs BND's -18.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 1.18), 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.