BASIX vs. VGMS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BASIX (BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Fund Investor A) and VGMS (Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF) are both funds - BASIX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund actively managed by BlackRock, while VGMS is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by Vanguard. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BASIX returned 6.34% vs 6.52% for VGMS. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BASIX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for VGMS.

Performance

BASIX vs. VGMS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Fund Investor A (BASIX) and Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BASIX achieves a 1.68% return, which is significantly higher than VGMS's 1.48% return.

BASIX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 1.68%
• 6M: 2.19%
• 1Y: 6.34%
• 3Y*: 6.50%
• 5Y*: 2.72%
• 10Y*: 3.57%

VGMS

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.73%
• YTD: 1.48%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: 6.52%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BASIX vs. VGMS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BASIX BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Fund Investor A	1.68%	4.91%
VGMS Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF	1.48%	5.51%

Correlation

The correlation between BASIX and VGMS is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 11, 2025	0.69

The correlation between BASIX and VGMS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BASIX vs. VGMS — Risk / Return Rank

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

BASIX

BASIX Risk / Return Rank: 66
BASIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
BASIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
BASIX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
BASIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
BASIX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

VGMS

VGMS Risk / Return Rank: 66
VGMS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VGMS Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VGMS Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VGMS Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VGMS Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

BASIX vs. VGMS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Fund Investor A (BASIX) and Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS). 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.

	BASIX	VGMS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	2.01	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	2.99	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.39	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	2.66	-0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.06	12.04	-2.98

BASIX vs. VGMS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BASIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the VGMS Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BASIX and VGMS, 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

BASIX vs. VGMS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BASIX drawdown since its inception was -18.88%, which is greater than VGMS's maximum drawdown of -2.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BASIX and VGMS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BASIX	VGMS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.88%	-2.46%	-16.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.74%	-2.46%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.74%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.33%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-0.18%	-0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.90%	-0.30%	-1.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.71%	0.54%	+0.17%

Volatility

BASIX vs. VGMS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Fund Investor A (BASIX) is 0.97%, while Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS) has a volatility of 1.06%. This indicates that BASIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGMS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BASIX	VGMS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.97%	1.06%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.25%	2.64%	-0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.79%	3.27%	-0.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.60%	3.24%	+0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.10%	3.24%	-0.14%

BASIX vs. VGMS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BASIX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than VGMS's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

BASIX vs. VGMS - Dividend Comparison

BASIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.90%, less than VGMS's 5.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BASIX BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Fund Investor A	4.90%	4.81%	4.48%	3.15%	3.34%	2.72%	2.66%	3.24%	3.02%	3.17%	2.61%	2.88%
VGMS Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF	5.14%	2.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BASIX and VGMS in my portfolio?

BASIX and VGMS have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BASIX or VGMS?

VGMS has higher volatility (1.06%) compared to BASIX (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BASIX dropped -18.88% vs VGMS's -2.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BASIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.01), 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.