BCOSX vs. BND

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BCOSX (Baird Core Plus Bond Fund) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both funds - BCOSX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by Baird, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, BCOSX returned 2.13%/yr vs 1.55%/yr for BND. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BCOSX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.

Performance

BCOSX vs. BND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baird Core Plus Bond Fund (BCOSX) 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, BCOSX achieves a 0.60% return, which is significantly higher than BND's 0.38% return. Over the past 10 years, BCOSX has outperformed BND with an annualized return of 2.13%, while BND has yielded a comparatively lower 1.55% annualized return.

BCOSX

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 0.60%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 4.79%
• 3Y*: 4.69%
• 5Y*: 0.43%
• 10Y*: 2.13%

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)

BCOSX vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BCOSX Baird Core Plus Bond Fund	0.60%	7.22%	2.26%	6.60%	-13.09%	-1.23%	8.59%	9.69%	-0.74%	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 BCOSX and BND is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007	0.88

The correlation between BCOSX and BND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BCOSX vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank

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

BCOSX

BCOSX Risk / Return Rank: 27
BCOSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
BCOSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
BCOSX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
BCOSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
BCOSX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

BCOSX vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baird Core Plus Bond Fund (BCOSX) 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.

	BCOSX	BND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	1.18	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	1.76	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.21	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	1.64	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.32	4.69	+0.63

BCOSX vs. BND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BCOSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is comparable to the BND Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BCOSX 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

BCOSX vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCOSX drawdown since its inception was -18.39%, roughly equal to the maximum BND drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCOSX and BND.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCOSX	BND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.39%	-18.58%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.58%	-2.68%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.80%	-5.92%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.39%	-17.91%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.39%	-18.58%	+0.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-2.26%	+1.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-3.06%	+0.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	0.93%	-0.01%

Volatility

BCOSX vs. BND - Volatility Comparison

Baird Core Plus Bond Fund (BCOSX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) have volatilities of 1.13% 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

	BCOSX	BND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	1.08%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.60%	2.77%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.55%	3.74%	-0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.63%	6.03%	-0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.66%	5.54%	-0.88%

BCOSX vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCOSX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

BCOSX vs. BND - Dividend Comparison

BCOSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, less than BND's 3.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BCOSX Baird Core Plus Bond Fund	3.86%	3.75%	3.68%	3.17%	2.69%	2.57%	3.11%	2.60%	2.75%	2.47%	2.27%	2.49%
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 BCOSX and BND in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, BCOSX and BND 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, BCOSX or BND?

BCOSX has higher volatility (1.13%) compared to BND (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BCOSX dropped -18.39% vs BND's -18.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BCOSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 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.