BIV vs. USFI

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) and USFI (BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index, while USFI is a Actively Managed fund actively managed by BrandywineGLOBAL. BIV is passively managed, while USFI is actively managed. Over the past year, BIV returned 3.58% vs 5.25% for USFI. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BIV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for USFI.

Performance

BIV vs. USFI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIV achieves a -0.43% return, which is significantly lower than USFI's 0.95% return.

BIV

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: -0.38%
• 6M: -0.58%
• YTD: -0.43%
• 1Y: 3.58%
• 3Y*: 4.26%
• 5Y*: -0.06%
• 10Y*: 1.76%

USFI

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -0.23%
• 6M: 0.86%
• YTD: 0.95%
• 1Y: 5.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BIV vs. USFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF	-0.43%	8.52%	1.57%	3.26%
USFI BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF	0.95%	6.96%	1.11%	2.95%

Correlation

The correlation between BIV and USFI is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2023	0.92

The correlation between BIV and USFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BIV vs. USFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIV

BIV Risk / Return Rank: 28
BIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
BIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
BIV Omega Ratio Rank: 26
BIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
BIV Martin Ratio Rank: 27

USFI

USFI Risk / Return Rank: 74
USFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
USFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
USFI Omega Ratio Rank: 64
USFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
USFI Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. USFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) and BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF (USFI). 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	USFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.89	1.61	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	2.61	-1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.31	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	4.92	-3.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.98	11.99	-9.01

BIV vs. USFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIV Sharpe Ratio is 0.89, which is lower than the USFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIV and USFI, 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. USFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIV drawdown since its inception was -18.95%, which is greater than USFI's maximum drawdown of -8.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIV and USFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIV	USFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.95%	-8.47%	-10.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.18%	-1.07%	-2.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.07%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.74%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.95%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.22%	-0.62%	-1.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.38%	-2.09%	-1.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.20%	0.44%	+0.76%

Volatility

BIV vs. USFI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) has a higher volatility of 1.23% compared to BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF (USFI) at 0.91%. This indicates that BIV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIV	USFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	0.91%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.14%	1.60%	+1.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.05%	3.28%	+0.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.41%	6.90%	-0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.50%	6.90%	-1.40%

BIV vs. USFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than USFI's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIV vs. USFI - Dividend Comparison

BIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.26%, less than USFI's 4.44% 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%
USFI BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF	4.44%	4.42%	4.60%	1.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIV and USFI in my portfolio?

BIV and USFI have a correlation of 0.83, 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 USFI?

BIV has higher volatility (1.23%) compared to USFI (0.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIV dropped -18.95% vs USFI's -8.47%.

Which ETF is better, BIV or USFI?

On 1-year performance, USFI leads with 5.25% vs 3.58% for BIV. On fees, BIV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, USFI has been the lower-risk option at 0.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BIV or USFI?

Over the 1-year period, USFI has performed better with a 5.25% return vs 3.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BIV or USFI?

BIV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for USFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BIV or USFI?

USFI has the higher dividend yield at 4.44%, compared with 4.26% for BIV.

What is the main difference between BIV and USFI?

BIV is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while USFI is Actively Managed. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BrandywineGLOBAL. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BIV and 0.39% for USFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 0.89), 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.