BNDX vs. VCOBX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) and VCOBX (Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - BNDX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged), while VCOBX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, BNDX returned 1.69%/yr vs 2.19%/yr for VCOBX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BNDX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCOBX.

Performance

BNDX vs. VCOBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) and Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BNDX achieves a 0.50% return, which is significantly lower than VCOBX's 0.54% return. Over the past 10 years, BNDX has underperformed VCOBX with an annualized return of 1.69%, while VCOBX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.19% annualized return.

BNDX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 0.50%
• 6M: 0.43%
• 1Y: 2.03%
• 3Y*: 4.03%
• 5Y*: 0.32%
• 10Y*: 1.69%

VCOBX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -0.17%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 6M: 0.75%
• 1Y: 5.26%
• 3Y*: 4.86%
• 5Y*: 0.57%
• 10Y*: 2.19%

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

BNDX vs. VCOBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF	0.50%	2.86%	3.57%	8.77%	-12.76%	-2.29%	4.65%	7.87%	2.81%	2.40%
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares	0.54%	7.73%	2.21%	6.39%	-13.13%	-1.51%	10.41%	9.64%	-0.85%	3.89%

Correlation

The correlation between BNDX and VCOBX is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2016	0.76

The correlation between BNDX and VCOBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

BNDX vs. VCOBX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BNDX	VCOBX
Real Estate	0.0%	0.0%
Financial Services	0.0%	1.0%
Industrials	0.0%	-
Energy	0.0%	0.0%
Utilities	0.0%	-
Communication Services	0.0%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Technology	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

BNDX vs. VCOBX — 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: 18
BNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
BNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
BNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

VCOBX

VCOBX Risk / Return Rank: 26
VCOBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
VCOBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
VCOBX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
VCOBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VCOBX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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. VCOBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) and Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX). 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	VCOBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	1.39	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.86	2.05	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.25	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.69	1.93	-1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.97	5.71	-3.74
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. VCOBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BNDX Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is lower than the VCOBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BNDX and VCOBX, 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	VCOBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59	1.39	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.10	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.46	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.48	+0.12

Drawdowns

BNDX vs. VCOBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BNDX drawdown since its inception was -16.23%, smaller than the maximum VCOBX drawdown of -18.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDX and VCOBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BNDX	VCOBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.23%	-18.14%	+1.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.93%	-2.62%	-0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.93%	-5.63%	+2.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.86%	-18.03%	+2.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.23%	-18.14%	+1.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-1.30%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.08%	-4.18%	+1.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.03%	0.88%	+0.15%

Volatility

BNDX vs. VCOBX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) has a higher volatility of 1.47% compared to Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX) at 1.28%. This indicates that BNDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCOBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BNDX	VCOBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.47%	1.28%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.91%	2.63%	+0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.43%	3.68%	-0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.88%	5.77%	-0.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.09%	4.75%	-0.66%

BNDX vs. VCOBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BNDX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VCOBX's 0.10% 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

BNDX vs. VCOBX - Dividend Comparison

BNDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%, less than VCOBX's 4.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF	4.49%	4.39%	4.18%	4.42%	1.51%	3.74%	1.11%	3.40%	3.01%	2.23%	1.89%	1.63%
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.74%	4.80%	5.04%	4.44%	3.01%	1.23%	3.09%	3.08%	3.10%	2.20%	2.29%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BNDX and VCOBX in my portfolio?

BNDX and VCOBX have a correlation of 0.76, 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 VCOBX?

BNDX has higher volatility (1.47%) compared to VCOBX (1.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDX dropped -16.23% vs VCOBX's -18.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCOBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 0.59), 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.