BAGSX vs. VCRB

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

BAGSX (Baird Aggregate Bond Fund) and VCRB (Vanguard Core Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Over the past year, BAGSX returned 2.04% vs 2.10% for VCRB. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. BAGSX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCRB.

Performance

BAGSX vs. VCRB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baird Aggregate Bond Fund (BAGSX) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BAGSX achieves a -0.44% return, which is significantly lower than VCRB's -0.41% return.

BAGSX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -0.84%
• 6M: -0.61%
• YTD: -0.44%
• 1Y: 2.04%
• 3Y*: 3.99%
• 5Y*: -0.36%
• 10Y*: 1.48%
• ALL TIME*: 3.90%

VCRB

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -1.25%
• 6M: -0.78%
• YTD: -0.41%
• 1Y: 2.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.88%

*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)
BAGSX Baird Aggregate Bond Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF	$36.64M	$37.88M	$42.01M

BAGSX vs. VCRB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BAGSX Baird Aggregate Bond Fund	-0.44%	7.11%	1.63%	1.40%
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF	-0.41%	7.56%	2.21%	0.95%

Correlation

The correlation between BAGSX and VCRB 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2023	0.95

The correlation between BAGSX and VCRB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BAGSX vs. VCRB — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAGSX

BAGSX Risk / Return Rank: 20
BAGSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
BAGSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
BAGSX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
BAGSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
BAGSX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

VCRB

VCRB Risk / Return Rank: 32
VCRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VCRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VCRB Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VCRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VCRB Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

BAGSX vs. VCRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baird Aggregate Bond Fund (BAGSX) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB). 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.

	BAGSX	VCRB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	0.83	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.13	1.22	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.14	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.00	1.12	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.45	2.81	-0.36

BAGSX vs. VCRB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAGSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is comparable to the VCRB Sharpe Ratio of 0.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAGSX and VCRB, 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

BAGSX vs. VCRB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAGSX drawdown since its inception was -18.97%, which is greater than VCRB's maximum drawdown of -4.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAGSX and VCRB.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAGSX	VCRB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.97%	-4.59%	-14.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.84%	-2.63%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.84%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.26%	-2.25%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-1.18%	-1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.16%	1.04%	+0.12%

Volatility

BAGSX vs. VCRB - Volatility Comparison

Baird Aggregate Bond Fund (BAGSX) has a higher volatility of 0.93% compared to Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB) at 0.86%. This indicates that BAGSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAGSX	VCRB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.93%	0.86%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	2.76%	+0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.70%	3.55%	+0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.93%	4.67%	+1.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.90%	4.67%	+0.23%

BAGSX vs. VCRB - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAGSX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than VCRB's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAGSX vs. VCRB - Dividend Comparison

BAGSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, less than VCRB's 4.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BAGSX Baird Aggregate Bond Fund	3.86%	3.69%	3.62%	3.10%	2.33%	1.68%	3.02%	2.41%	2.53%	2.21%	1.96%	2.14%
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF	4.29%	4.55%	4.22%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAGSX and VCRB in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, BAGSX and VCRB 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, BAGSX or VCRB?

BAGSX has higher volatility (0.93%) compared to VCRB (0.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAGSX dropped -18.97% vs VCRB's -4.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCRB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.83 vs 0.77), 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.