BORAX vs. VTCLX

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

BORAX (CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plan - BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Option) and VTCLX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - BORAX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Index (Series L), while VTCLX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BORAX returned 0.67%/yr vs 12.46%/yr for VTCLX. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BORAX charges 1.48%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTCLX.

Performance

BORAX vs. VTCLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plan - BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Option (BORAX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BORAX achieves a 1.54% return, which is significantly lower than VTCLX's 9.53% return.

BORAX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: -0.13%
• YTD: 1.54%
• 6M: 1.20%
• 1Y: 3.33%
• 3Y*: 3.52%
• 5Y*: 0.67%
• 10Y*: —

VTCLX

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: -1.09%
• YTD: 9.53%
• 6M: 8.71%
• 1Y: 21.43%
• 3Y*: 19.95%
• 5Y*: 12.46%
• 10Y*: 15.28%

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

BORAX vs. VTCLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BORAX CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plan - BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Option	1.54%	6.40%	1.30%	3.58%	-11.83%	3.96%
VTCLX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares	9.53%	17.44%	23.76%	26.62%	-19.07%	13.39%

Correlation

The correlation between BORAX and VTCLX 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	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2021	0.19

The correlation between BORAX and VTCLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (5 years) to 0.32 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BORAX vs. VTCLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BORAX

BORAX Risk / Return Rank: 23
BORAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
BORAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
BORAX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
BORAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
BORAX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

VTCLX

VTCLX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VTCLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VTCLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VTCLX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VTCLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VTCLX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

BORAX vs. VTCLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plan - BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Option (BORAX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BORAX	VTCLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	1.75	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	2.42	-0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.32	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.63	2.52	-0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.02	11.16	-6.14

BORAX vs. VTCLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BORAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is lower than the VTCLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BORAX and VTCLX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BORAX vs. VTCLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BORAX drawdown since its inception was -14.39%, smaller than the maximum VTCLX drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BORAX and VTCLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BORAX	VTCLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.39%	-55.18%	+40.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.23%	-8.79%	+6.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.01%	-19.01%	+14.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.39%	-24.98%	+10.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.59%	-1.60%	+1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.12%	-7.55%	+1.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.72%	1.98%	-1.26%

Volatility

BORAX vs. VTCLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plan - BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Option (BORAX) is 1.24%, while Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX) has a volatility of 4.93%. This indicates that BORAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTCLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BORAX	VTCLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.24%	4.93%	-3.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.58%	10.01%	-7.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.37%	12.67%	-9.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.22%	17.32%	-11.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.18%	18.26%	-12.08%

BORAX vs. VTCLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BORAX has a 1.48% expense ratio, which is higher than VTCLX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

BORAX vs. VTCLX - Dividend Comparison

BORAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTCLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BORAX CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plan - BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Option	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTCLX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares	0.91%	0.93%	1.04%	1.24%	1.47%	1.04%	1.32%	1.52%	1.83%	1.57%	1.76%	1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BORAX and VTCLX in my portfolio?

BORAX and VTCLX 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, BORAX or VTCLX?

VTCLX has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to BORAX (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BORAX dropped -14.39% vs VTCLX's -55.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTCLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 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.