BBN vs. VPLS

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (BBN) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS).

BBN is an actively managed fund by BlackRock. It was launched on Aug 27, 2010. VPLS is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 7, 2023.

Performance

BBN vs. VPLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (BBN) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BBN vs. VPLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BBN BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust	0.77%	8.59%	6.01%	2.28%
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	0.02%	7.86%	2.72%	2.82%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBN achieves a 0.77% return, which is significantly higher than VPLS's 0.02% return.

BBN

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -2.58%
• YTD: 0.77%
• 6M: 0.28%
• 1Y: 4.41%
• 3Y*: 3.52%
• 5Y*: -1.71%
• 10Y*: 3.08%

VPLS

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.45%
• YTD: 0.02%
• 6M: 0.82%
• 1Y: 4.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BBN vs. VPLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBN has a 2.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VPLS's 0.20% expense ratio.

BBN

BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust

VPLS

Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF

Return for Risk

BBN vs. VPLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBN

BBN Risk / Return Rank: 12
BBN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
BBN Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
BBN Omega Ratio Rank: 10
BBN Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
BBN Martin Ratio Rank: 10

VPLS

VPLS Risk / Return Rank: 58
VPLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VPLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VPLS Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VPLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VPLS Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

BBN vs. VPLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (BBN) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS). 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.

	BBN	VPLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	1.09	-0.67
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.64	1.52	-0.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.20	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.53	1.80	-1.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.14	5.66	-4.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBN vs. VPLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBN Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the VPLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBN and VPLS, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BBN	VPLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42	1.09	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.11	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	1.25	-0.85

Correlation

The correlation between BBN and VPLS is 0.60, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

BBN vs. VPLS - Dividend Comparison

BBN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.19%, more than VPLS's 4.79% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBN BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust	7.19%	7.01%	6.92%	7.16%	7.91%	5.45%	5.05%	5.66%	7.09%	6.82%	7.32%	7.54%
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	4.79%	4.78%	4.52%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

BBN vs. VPLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBN drawdown since its inception was -38.37%, which is greater than VPLS's maximum drawdown of -4.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBN and VPLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBN	VPLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.37%	-4.17%	-34.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.55%	-2.72%	-4.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.47%	-1.81%	-16.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.23%	-0.98%	-9.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	0.87%	+2.61%

Volatility

BBN vs. VPLS - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (BBN) has a higher volatility of 4.08% compared to Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) at 1.74%. This indicates that BBN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBN	VPLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	1.74%	+2.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.93%	2.51%	+4.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.55%	4.26%	+6.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.54%	4.67%	+10.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.13%	4.67%	+10.46%