AKAF vs. VBND

Last updated Jul 31, 2026

AKAF (The Frontier Economic Fund) and VBND (Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AKAF is a Global Equities fund tracking the Alaska Last Frontier Index, while VBND is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AKAF returned 27.73% vs 2.97% for VBND. Their 0.29 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. AKAF charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for VBND.

Performance

AKAF vs. VBND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF) 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, AKAF achieves a 11.02% return, which is significantly higher than VBND's -0.59% return.

AKAF

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 1.74%
• 6M: 3.83%
• YTD: 11.02%
• 1Y: 27.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 27.22%

VBND

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -1.18%
• 6M: -0.55%
• YTD: -0.59%
• 1Y: 2.97%
• 3Y*: 4.38%
• 5Y*: -0.19%
• 10Y*: 1.29%
• ALL TIME*: 1.54%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	$569.72	$1.23K	$1.59K
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	$846.73K	$2.16M	$1.29M

AKAF vs. VBND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	11.02%	17.17%
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	-0.59%	3.98%

Correlation

The correlation between AKAF and VBND is 0.31, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.29

Return for Risk

AKAF vs. VBND — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AKAF

AKAF Risk / Return Rank: 79
AKAF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
AKAF Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
AKAF Omega Ratio Rank: 79
AKAF Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AKAF Martin Ratio Rank: 78

VBND

VBND Risk / Return Rank: 29
VBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VBND Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VBND Martin Ratio Rank: 30

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AKAF vs. VBND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF) 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.

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.

	AKAF	VBND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	0.73	+1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	1.10	+1.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.12	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	1.06	+1.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.74	2.72	+7.02

AKAF vs. VBND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AKAF Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is higher than the VBND Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AKAF 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.

Drawdowns

AKAF vs. VBND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AKAF drawdown since its inception was -9.32%, smaller than the maximum VBND drawdown of -18.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AKAF and VBND.

Drawdown Indicators

	AKAF	VBND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.32%	-18.97%	+9.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.32%	-2.82%	-6.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-4.60%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.97%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.21%	-1.84%	-0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.82%	-4.17%	+2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	1.09%	+1.66%

Volatility

AKAF vs. VBND - Volatility Comparison

The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF) has a higher volatility of 2.92% compared to Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) at 1.01%. This indicates that AKAF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AKAF	VBND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	1.01%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.53%	2.94%	+8.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.89%	4.12%	+10.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.60%	6.12%	+8.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.60%	5.45%	+9.15%

AKAF vs. VBND - Expense Ratio Comparison

AKAF has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than VBND's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

AKAF vs. VBND - Dividend Comparison

AKAF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.97%, less than VBND's 4.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	2.97%	2.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	4.35%	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 AKAF and VBND in my portfolio?

AKAF and VBND have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AKAF or VBND?

AKAF has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to VBND (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AKAF dropped -9.32% vs VBND's -18.97%.

Which ETF is better, AKAF or VBND?

On 1-year performance, AKAF leads with 27.73% vs 2.97% for VBND. On fees, AKAF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, VBND has been the lower-risk option at 1.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AKAF or VBND?

Over the 1-year period, AKAF has performed better with a 27.73% return vs 2.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AKAF or VBND?

AKAF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for VBND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AKAF or VBND?

VBND has the higher dividend yield at 4.35%, compared with 2.97% for AKAF.

What is the main difference between AKAF and VBND?

AKAF is categorized as Global Equities, while VBND is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. AKAF tracks Alaska Last Frontier Index, while VBND tracks Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for AKAF and 0.41% for VBND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AKAF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 0.73), 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.