BIV vs. VUG
BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth 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 VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BIV returned 1.93%/yr vs 18.25%/yr for VUG. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
BIV vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BIV achieves a -0.11% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 9.78% return. Over the past 10 years, BIV has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 1.93%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.25% annualized return.
BIV
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 0.04%
- YTD
- -0.11%
- 6M
- -0.10%
- 1Y
- 4.33%
- 3Y*
- 4.34%
- 5Y*
- 0.28%
- 10Y*
- 1.93%
VUG
- 1D
- 0.26%
- 1M
- 5.75%
- YTD
- 9.78%
- 6M
- 8.99%
- 1Y
- 27.72%
- 3Y*
- 26.10%
- 5Y*
- 15.17%
- 10Y*
- 18.25%
BIV vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | -0.11% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.07% | -13.21% | -2.40% | 9.67% | 10.34% | -0.19% | 3.65% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 9.78% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between BIV and VUG is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007 | -0.13 |
The correlation between BIV and VUG shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BIV vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
BIV
VUG
BIV vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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 | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.68 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.79 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.31 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.37 | 1.68 | -0.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.13 | 5.90 | -1.77 |
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 | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08 | 1.76 | -0.68 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | 0.69 | -0.64 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 | 0.85 | -0.50 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.65 | 0.62 | +0.03 |
Drawdowns
BIV vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BIV drawdown since its inception was -18.95%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIV and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BIV | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.95% | -50.68% | +31.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.18% | -16.53% | +13.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.07% | -22.85% | +16.78% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.74% | -35.61% | +16.87% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.95% | -35.61% | +16.66% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.91% | -1.25% | -0.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.39% | -7.09% | +3.70% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.05% | 4.71% | -3.66% |
Volatility
BIV vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) is 1.36%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 3.81%. This indicates that BIV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BIV | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.36% | 3.81% | -2.45% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.90% | 12.11% | -9.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.06% | 15.83% | -11.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.40% | 22.21% | -15.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.50% | 21.44% | -15.94% |
BIV vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both BIV and VUG have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BIV vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
BIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 4.21% | 4.01% | 3.79% | 3.09% | 2.41% | 3.42% | 2.95% | 2.75% | 2.88% | 2.69% | 3.01% | 3.02% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.37% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BIV and VUG have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VUG has higher volatility (3.81%) compared to BIV (1.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIV dropped -18.95% vs VUG's -50.68%.
On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 18.25% vs 1.93% for BIV. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, BIV has been the lower-risk option at 1.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 18.25% return vs 1.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BIV and VUG have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
BIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.
BIV is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index.
VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.08), 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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