BIV vs. SYF

Last updated Jun 9, 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 SYF (Synchrony Financial) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, BIV returned 1.83%/yr vs 11.21%/yr for SYF. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

BIV vs. SYF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIV achieves a -0.67% return, which is significantly higher than SYF's -14.75% return. Over the past 10 years, BIV has underperformed SYF with an annualized return of 1.83%, while SYF has yielded a comparatively higher 11.21% annualized return.

BIV

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.94%
• YTD: -0.67%
• 6M: -0.33%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: 4.27%
• 5Y*: 0.08%
• 10Y*: 1.83%

SYF

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: -3.54%
• YTD: -14.75%
• 6M: -10.85%
• 1Y: 21.12%
• 3Y*: 30.70%
• 5Y*: 9.51%
• 10Y*: 11.21%

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

BIV vs. SYF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF	-0.67%	8.52%	1.57%	6.07%	-13.21%	-2.40%	9.67%	10.34%	-0.19%	3.65%
SYF Synchrony Financial	-14.75%	30.64%	74.01%	19.76%	-27.43%	36.40%	-0.08%	57.48%	-37.84%	8.35%

Correlation

The correlation between BIV and SYF is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.07
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2014	-0.12

The correlation between BIV and SYF shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (all time) to 0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BIV vs. SYF — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIV

BIV Risk / Return Rank: 34
BIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
BIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
BIV Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BIV Martin Ratio Rank: 32

SYF

SYF Risk / Return Rank: 60
SYF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SYF Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SYF Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SYF Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SYF Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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. SYF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) and Synchrony Financial (SYF). 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.

	BIV	SYF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	0.73	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.76	1.10	+0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.15	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	0.77	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.40	1.73	+2.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BIV vs. SYF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIV Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is higher than the SYF Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIV and SYF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BIV	SYF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.18	0.73	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.26	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.28	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.32	+0.32

Drawdowns

BIV vs. SYF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIV drawdown since its inception was -18.95%, smaller than the maximum SYF drawdown of -66.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIV and SYF.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIV	SYF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.95%	-66.37%	+47.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.18%	-27.61%	+24.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.07%	-37.75%	+31.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.74%	-46.65%	+27.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.95%	-66.37%	+47.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.46%	-19.61%	+17.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.39%	-16.99%	+13.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.07%	12.27%	-11.20%

Volatility

BIV vs. SYF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) is 1.35%, while Synchrony Financial (SYF) has a volatility of 8.21%. This indicates that BIV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SYF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIV	SYF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.35%	8.21%	-6.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.93%	23.13%	-20.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.00%	29.15%	-25.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.40%	36.74%	-30.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.51%	39.52%	-34.01%

Dividends

BIV vs. SYF - Dividend Comparison

BIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.24%, more than SYF's 1.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF	4.24%	4.01%	3.79%	3.09%	2.41%	3.42%	2.95%	2.75%	2.88%	2.69%	3.01%	3.02%
SYF Synchrony Financial	1.70%	1.38%	1.54%	2.51%	2.74%	1.90%	2.54%	2.39%	3.07%	1.45%	0.72%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIV and SYF in my portfolio?

BIV and SYF have a correlation of 0.17, 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 SYF?

SYF has higher volatility (8.21%) compared to BIV (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIV dropped -18.95% vs SYF's -66.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.18 vs 0.73), 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.