BND vs. VO
BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, while VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BND returned 1.53%/yr vs 11.44%/yr for VO. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
BND vs. VO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BND achieves a -0.07% return, which is significantly lower than VO's 8.60% return. Over the past 10 years, BND has underperformed VO with an annualized return of 1.53%, while VO has yielded a comparatively higher 11.44% annualized return.
BND
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- -0.67%
- YTD
- -0.07%
- 6M
- 0.23%
- 1Y
- 4.87%
- 3Y*
- 3.89%
- 5Y*
- -0.05%
- 10Y*
- 1.53%
VO
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 1.75%
- YTD
- 8.60%
- 6M
- 8.43%
- 1Y
- 16.32%
- 3Y*
- 15.78%
- 5Y*
- 7.59%
- 10Y*
- 11.44%
BND vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | -0.07% | 7.08% | 1.38% | 5.65% | -13.11% | -1.86% | 7.71% | 8.84% | -0.12% | 3.57% |
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | 8.60% | 11.62% | 15.31% | 16.03% | -18.73% | 24.70% | 18.10% | 30.98% | -9.24% | 19.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between BND and VO is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.21 |
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 | -0.12 |
The correlation between BND and VO shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (all time) to 0.35 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BND vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank
BND
VO
BND vs. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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.
| BND | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.23 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.83 | 2.01 | -0.18 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.43 | 7.62 | -2.19 |
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
| BND | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.32 | 1.31 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.01 | 0.43 | -0.44 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.28 | 0.61 | -0.33 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.58 | 0.50 | +0.08 |
Drawdowns
BND vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BND drawdown since its inception was -18.58%, smaller than the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BND and VO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BND | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.58% | -58.87% | +40.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.68% | -8.17% | +5.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.92% | -19.02% | +13.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.91% | -27.57% | +9.66% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.58% | -39.37% | +20.79% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.70% | -2.10% | -0.60% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.06% | -7.86% | +4.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.90% | 2.15% | -1.25% |
Volatility
BND vs. VO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) is 1.20%, while Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) has a volatility of 3.51%. This indicates that BND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BND | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.20% | 3.51% | -2.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.69% | 9.46% | -6.77% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.72% | 12.51% | -8.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.02% | 17.62% | -11.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.53% | 18.96% | -13.43% |
BND vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both BND and VO 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
BND vs. VO - Dividend Comparison
BND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, more than VO's 1.38% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 3.98% | 3.86% | 3.67% | 3.09% | 2.60% | 2.12% | 2.38% | 2.72% | 2.81% | 2.54% | 2.51% | 2.57% |
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | 1.38% | 1.52% | 1.49% | 1.52% | 1.60% | 1.12% | 1.45% | 1.48% | 1.82% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 1.47% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BND and VO have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VO has higher volatility (3.51%) compared to BND (1.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BND dropped -18.58% vs VO's -58.87%.
On 10-year performance, VO leads with 11.44% vs 1.53% for BND. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, BND has been the lower-risk option at 1.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VO has performed better with a 11.44% return vs 1.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BND and VO have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
BND has the higher dividend yield at 3.98%, compared with 1.38% for VO.
BND is categorized as Total Bond Market, while VO is Mid Cap Blend Equities. BND tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, while VO tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Index.
BND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs 1.31), 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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