BIV vs. VFMV
BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) and VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility 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 VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. BIV is passively managed, while VFMV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BIV returned 0.08%/yr vs 9.52%/yr for VFMV. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BIV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VFMV.
Performance
BIV vs. VFMV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BIV achieves a -0.67% return, which is significantly lower than VFMV's 7.46% 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%
VFMV
- 1D
- -0.49%
- 1M
- 0.03%
- YTD
- 7.46%
- 6M
- 7.72%
- 1Y
- 11.60%
- 3Y*
- 13.97%
- 5Y*
- 9.52%
- 10Y*
- —
BIV vs. VFMV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | -0.67% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.07% | -13.21% | -2.40% | 9.67% | 10.34% | 2.62% |
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF | 7.46% | 10.52% | 16.91% | 8.86% | -5.73% | 20.75% | -0.19% | 27.26% | -1.10% |
Correlation
The correlation between BIV and VFMV is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2018 | 0.14 |
Over the past year, BIV and VFMV have become more correlated (0.37) than their long-term average of 0.14, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
BIV vs. VFMV — Risk / Return Rank
BIV
VFMV
BIV vs. VFMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) and Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV). 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 | VFMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.23 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.49 | 1.94 | -0.45 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.40 | 7.57 | -3.17 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BIV | VFMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.18 | 1.32 | -0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.01 | 0.81 | -0.80 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.33 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.64 | 0.68 | -0.04 |
Drawdowns
BIV vs. VFMV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BIV drawdown since its inception was -18.95%, smaller than the maximum VFMV drawdown of -33.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIV and VFMV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BIV | VFMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.95% | -33.64% | +14.69% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.18% | -6.00% | +2.82% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.07% | -10.35% | +4.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.74% | -15.41% | -3.33% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.95% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.46% | -2.00% | -0.46% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.39% | -3.63% | +0.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.07% | 1.53% | -0.46% |
Volatility
BIV vs. VFMV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) is 1.35%, while Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) has a volatility of 2.21%. This indicates that BIV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BIV | VFMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.35% | 2.21% | -0.86% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.93% | 6.37% | -3.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.00% | 8.83% | -4.83% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.40% | 11.75% | -5.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.51% | 14.25% | -8.74% |
BIV vs. VFMV - Expense Ratio Comparison
BIV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VFMV's 0.13% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BIV vs. VFMV - Dividend Comparison
BIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.24%, more than VFMV's 1.95% 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% |
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF | 1.95% | 2.12% | 1.46% | 2.20% | 2.08% | 1.31% | 2.14% | 2.43% | 2.29% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BIV and VFMV have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VFMV has higher volatility (2.21%) compared to BIV (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIV dropped -18.95% vs VFMV's -33.64%.
On 5-year performance, VFMV leads with 9.52% vs 0.08% for BIV. On fees, BIV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BIV has been the lower-risk option at 1.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VFMV has performed better with a 9.52% return vs 0.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BIV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for VFMV.
BIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.24%, compared with 1.95% for VFMV.
BIV is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while VFMV is Mid Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BIV and 0.13% for VFMV.
VFMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 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.
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