BIV vs. MAIN

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) is Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index, while MAIN (Main Street Capital Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, BIV returned 1.75%/yr vs 13.39%/yr for MAIN. At a correlation of -0.09, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

BIV vs. MAIN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) and Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIV achieves a -0.40% return, which is significantly higher than MAIN's -5.54% return. Over the past 10 years, BIV has underperformed MAIN with an annualized return of 1.75%, while MAIN has yielded a comparatively higher 13.39% annualized return.

BIV

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -0.41%
• 6M: -0.26%
• YTD: -0.40%
• 1Y: 3.43%
• 3Y*: 4.27%
• 5Y*: -0.08%
• 10Y*: 1.75%
• ALL TIME*: 3.79%

MAIN

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 8.28%
• 6M: -11.20%
• YTD: -5.54%
• 1Y: -8.71%
• 3Y*: 18.72%
• 5Y*: 14.18%
• 10Y*: 13.39%
• ALL TIME*: 16.56%

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

BIV vs. MAIN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF	-0.40%	8.52%	1.57%	6.07%	-13.21%	-2.40%	9.67%	10.34%	-0.19%	3.65%
MAIN Main Street Capital Corporation	-5.54%	10.74%	47.30%	28.22%	-11.37%	48.31%	-19.54%	36.88%	-8.27%	16.62%

Correlation

The correlation between BIV and MAIN is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2007	-0.09

The correlation between BIV and MAIN shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (all time) to 0.16 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BIV vs. MAIN — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIV

BIV Risk / Return Rank: 29
BIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
BIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
BIV Omega Ratio Rank: 27
BIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
BIV Martin Ratio Rank: 27

MAIN

MAIN Risk / Return Rank: 29
MAIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
MAIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
MAIN Omega Ratio Rank: 27
MAIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
MAIN Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

BIV vs. MAIN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) and Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN). 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.

	BIV	MAIN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	-0.35	+1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	-0.32	+1.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	0.96	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.09	-0.39	+1.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.80	-0.70	+3.50

BIV vs. MAIN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIV Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is higher than the MAIN Sharpe Ratio of -0.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIV and MAIN, 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

BIV vs. MAIN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIV drawdown since its inception was -18.95%, smaller than the maximum MAIN drawdown of -64.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIV and MAIN.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIV	MAIN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.95%	-64.53%	+45.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.18%	-22.43%	+19.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.55%	-22.43%	+16.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.74%	-27.06%	+8.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.95%	-64.53%	+45.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.20%	-13.30%	+11.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.38%	-7.36%	+3.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.23%	12.47%	-11.24%

Volatility

BIV vs. MAIN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) is 1.18%, while Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN) has a volatility of 5.94%. This indicates that BIV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MAIN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIV	MAIN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.18%	5.94%	-4.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.15%	19.81%	-16.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.04%	25.32%	-21.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.41%	21.60%	-15.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.50%	27.36%	-21.86%

Dividends

BIV vs. MAIN - Dividend Comparison

BIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.26%, less than MAIN's 7.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF	4.26%	4.01%	3.79%	3.09%	2.41%	3.42%	2.95%	2.75%	2.88%	2.69%	3.01%	3.02%
MAIN Main Street Capital Corporation	7.88%	7.00%	7.02%	8.55%	7.97%	5.74%	6.99%	6.76%	8.43%	7.49%	7.42%	9.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIV and MAIN in my portfolio?

BIV and MAIN have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BIV or MAIN?

MAIN has higher volatility (5.94%) compared to BIV (1.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIV dropped -18.95% vs MAIN's -64.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.85 vs -0.35), 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.