BND vs. VPL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) and VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, while VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BND returned 1.58%/yr vs 10.84%/yr for VPL. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. BND charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VPL.

Performance

BND vs. VPL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) and Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BND achieves a 0.27% return, which is significantly lower than VPL's 30.29% return. Over the past 10 years, BND has underperformed VPL with an annualized return of 1.58%, while VPL has yielded a comparatively higher 10.84% annualized return.

BND

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 0.27%
• 6M: 0.12%
• 1Y: 5.11%
• 3Y*: 3.96%
• 5Y*: 0.09%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

VPL

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 10.45%
• YTD: 30.29%
• 6M: 33.07%
• 1Y: 53.61%
• 3Y*: 23.02%
• 5Y*: 10.36%
• 10Y*: 10.84%

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

BND vs. VPL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	0.27%	7.08%	1.38%	5.65%	-13.11%	-1.86%	7.71%	8.84%	-0.12%	3.57%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	30.29%	32.66%	1.68%	15.58%	-15.20%	1.10%	16.65%	18.16%	-14.40%	28.85%

Correlation

The correlation between BND and VPL 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	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007	-0.06

The correlation between BND and VPL shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (all time) to 0.37 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BND vs. VPL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BND

BND Risk / Return Rank: 37
BND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
BND Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
BND Omega Ratio Rank: 35
BND Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
BND Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 80
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

BND vs. VPL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) and Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). 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	VPL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	2.76	-1.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	3.60	-1.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.49	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.92	4.04	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.80	15.95	-10.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BND vs. VPL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BND Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is lower than the VPL Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BND and VPL, 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

	BND	VPL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	2.76	-1.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.60	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.63	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.34	+0.24

Drawdowns

BND vs. VPL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BND drawdown since its inception was -18.58%, smaller than the maximum VPL drawdown of -55.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BND and VPL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BND	VPL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.58%	-55.49%	+36.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.68%	-13.33%	+10.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.92%	-16.35%	+10.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.91%	-31.09%	+13.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.58%	-33.90%	+15.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.37%	-0.28%	-2.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.06%	-11.63%	+8.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	3.37%	-2.49%

Volatility

BND vs. VPL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) is 1.23%, while Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a volatility of 7.32%. This indicates that BND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BND	VPL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	7.32%	-6.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.66%	16.71%	-14.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78%	19.55%	-15.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.02%	17.29%	-11.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.53%	17.29%	-11.76%

BND vs. VPL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BND has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VPL's 0.08% 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

BND vs. VPL - Dividend Comparison

BND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.97%, more than VPL's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	3.97%	3.86%	3.67%	3.09%	2.60%	2.12%	2.38%	2.72%	2.81%	2.54%	2.51%	2.57%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.73%	4.01%	3.15%	3.12%	2.75%	3.19%	1.81%	2.84%	3.06%	2.57%	2.65%	2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BND and VPL in my portfolio?

BND and VPL 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.

Which is riskier, BND or VPL?

VPL has higher volatility (7.32%) compared to BND (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BND dropped -18.58% vs VPL's -55.49%.

Which ETF is better, BND or VPL?

On 10-year performance, VPL leads with 10.84% vs 1.58% for BND. On fees, BND is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BND has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BND or VPL?

Over the 10-year period, VPL has performed better with a 10.84% return vs 1.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BND or VPL?

BND is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for VPL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BND or VPL?

BND has the higher dividend yield at 3.97%, compared with 2.73% for VPL.

What is the main difference between BND and VPL?

BND is categorized as Total Bond Market, while VPL is Asia Pacific Equities. BND tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, while VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BND and 0.08% for VPL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 1.36), 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.