BSBAX vs. VBIRX
BSBAX (Northern Short Bond Fund) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, BSBAX returned 1.91%/yr vs 1.86%/yr for VBIRX. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BSBAX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBIRX.
Performance
BSBAX vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BSBAX achieves a 0.60% return, which is significantly higher than VBIRX's 0.14% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BSBAX having a 1.91% annualized return and VBIRX not far behind at 1.86%.
BSBAX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.14%
- 6M
- 0.19%
- YTD
- 0.60%
- 1Y
- 2.71%
- 3Y*
- 3.95%
- 5Y*
- 1.52%
- 10Y*
- 1.91%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.11%
VBIRX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -0.29%
- 6M
- 0.10%
- YTD
- 0.14%
- 1Y
- 2.10%
- 3Y*
- 4.33%
- 5Y*
- 1.54%
- 10Y*
- 1.86%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.58%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
BSBAX vs. VBIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSBAX Northern Short Bond Fund | 0.60% | 4.46% | 4.07% | 4.52% | -4.89% | -0.44% | 3.73% | 5.19% | 0.73% | 1.59% |
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.14% | 6.09% | 3.75% | 4.87% | -5.63% | -1.20% | 4.69% | 4.86% | 1.37% | 1.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between BSBAX and VBIRX is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.65 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.74 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.80 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.71 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001 | 0.75 |
The correlation between BSBAX and VBIRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.80 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BSBAX vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank
BSBAX
VBIRX
BSBAX vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Short Bond Fund (BSBAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). 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.
| BSBAX | VBIRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.46 | 1.18 | +0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.63 | 1.37 | +1.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.95 | 3.81 | +4.14 |
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Drawdowns
BSBAX vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BSBAX drawdown since its inception was -7.31%, smaller than the maximum VBIRX drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSBAX and VBIRX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BSBAX | VBIRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -7.31% | -8.69% | +1.38% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.19% | -1.54% | +0.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.20% | -1.55% | +0.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.31% | -8.47% | +1.16% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -7.31% | -8.69% | +1.38% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.27% | -0.79% | +0.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.62% | -0.98% | +0.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.39% | 0.55% | -0.16% |
Volatility
BSBAX vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Northern Short Bond Fund (BSBAX) is 0.43%, while Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) has a volatility of 0.48%. This indicates that BSBAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BSBAX | VBIRX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.43% | 0.48% | -0.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.20% | 1.65% | -0.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.67% | 2.14% | -0.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.14% | 2.98% | -0.84% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.80% | 2.40% | -0.60% |
BSBAX vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison
BSBAX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIRX's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
BSBAX vs. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison
BSBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.69%, which matches VBIRX's 3.69% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSBAX Northern Short Bond Fund | 3.69% | 3.20% | 3.54% | 2.49% | 0.94% | 1.20% | 2.00% | 2.62% | 2.57% | 1.85% | 1.43% | 1.25% |
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.69% | 3.83% | 3.37% | 2.41% | 1.46% | 1.22% | 1.77% | 2.24% | 2.03% | 1.66% | 1.50% | 1.41% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BSBAX and VBIRX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VBIRX has higher volatility (0.48%) compared to BSBAX (0.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSBAX dropped -7.31% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.
BSBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 0.99), 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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