BNDX vs. VBK

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) and VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BNDX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged), while VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BNDX returned 1.65%/yr vs 11.47%/yr for VBK. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BNDX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBK.

Performance

BNDX vs. VBK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BNDX achieves a 0.37% return, which is significantly lower than VBK's 14.03% return. Over the past 10 years, BNDX has underperformed VBK with an annualized return of 1.65%, while VBK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.47% annualized return.

BNDX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 0.37%
• 6M: 0.55%
• 1Y: 1.86%
• 3Y*: 4.01%
• 5Y*: 0.25%
• 10Y*: 1.65%

VBK

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 14.03%
• 6M: 12.70%
• 1Y: 27.37%
• 3Y*: 16.31%
• 5Y*: 4.73%
• 10Y*: 11.47%

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

BNDX vs. VBK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF	0.37%	2.86%	3.57%	8.77%	-12.76%	-2.29%	4.65%	7.87%	2.81%	2.40%
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	14.03%	8.50%	16.50%	21.45%	-28.44%	5.66%	35.44%	32.75%	-5.70%	21.87%

Correlation

The correlation between BNDX and VBK is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2013	0.04

Over the past year, BNDX and VBK have become more correlated (0.32) than their long-term average of 0.04, meaning their price movements have been converging.

BNDX vs. VBK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BNDX	VBK
Real Estate	0.0%	3.9%
Financial Services	0.0%	5.6%
Industrials	0.0%	24.7%
Energy	0.0%	4.8%
Communication Services	0.0%	3.5%
Utilities	0.0%	1.2%
Healthcare	0.0%	15.3%
Basic Materials	-	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.4%
Technology	-	25.9%

Return for Risk

BNDX vs. VBK — Risk / Return Rank

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

BNDX

BNDX Risk / Return Rank: 18
BNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
BNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
BNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
BNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
BNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

VBK

VBK Risk / Return Rank: 48
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

BNDX vs. VBK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK). 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.

	BNDX	VBK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	1.40	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.79	1.96	-1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.24	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.64	2.40	-1.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.79	9.10	-7.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BNDX vs. VBK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BNDX Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the VBK Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BNDX and VBK, 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

	BNDX	VBK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54	1.40	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	0.20	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.50	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.42	+0.18

Drawdowns

BNDX vs. VBK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BNDX drawdown since its inception was -16.23%, smaller than the maximum VBK drawdown of -58.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDX and VBK.

Drawdown Indicators

	BNDX	VBK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.23%	-58.68%	+42.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.93%	-11.44%	+8.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.93%	-27.54%	+24.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.86%	-38.39%	+22.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.23%	-38.70%	+22.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.65%	-3.91%	+2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.08%	-10.15%	+7.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	3.02%	-1.98%

Volatility

BNDX vs. VBK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) is 1.47%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a volatility of 6.43%. This indicates that BNDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BNDX	VBK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.47%	6.43%	-4.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.91%	15.18%	-12.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.43%	19.65%	-16.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.88%	23.54%	-18.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.09%	22.90%	-18.81%

BNDX vs. VBK - Expense Ratio Comparison

BNDX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VBK's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BNDX vs. VBK - Dividend Comparison

BNDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.50%, more than VBK's 0.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF	4.50%	4.39%	4.18%	4.42%	1.51%	3.74%	1.11%	3.40%	3.01%	2.23%	1.89%	1.63%
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	0.46%	0.54%	0.54%	0.68%	0.55%	0.36%	0.44%	0.57%	0.79%	0.82%	1.08%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BNDX and VBK in my portfolio?

BNDX and VBK have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BNDX or VBK?

VBK has higher volatility (6.43%) compared to BNDX (1.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDX dropped -16.23% vs VBK's -58.68%.

Which ETF is better, BNDX or VBK?

On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 11.47% vs 1.65% for BNDX. On fees, VBK is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, BNDX has been the lower-risk option at 1.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BNDX or VBK?

Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 11.47% return vs 1.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BNDX or VBK?

VBK is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for BNDX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BNDX or VBK?

BNDX has the higher dividend yield at 4.50%, compared with 0.46% for VBK.

What is the main difference between BNDX and VBK?

BNDX is categorized as Global Bonds, while VBK is Small Cap Growth Equities. BNDX tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged), while VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for BNDX and 0.05% for VBK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.54), 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.