BSV vs. VBIRX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - BSV is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VBIRX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, BSV returned 1.91%/yr vs 1.86%/yr for VBIRX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BSV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIRX.

Performance

BSV vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSV achieves a 0.32% return, which is significantly higher than VBIRX's -0.09% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BSV having a 1.91% annualized return and VBIRX not far behind at 1.86%.

BSV

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 0.32%
• 6M: 0.51%
• 1Y: 3.18%
• 3Y*: 4.51%
• 5Y*: 1.68%
• 10Y*: 1.91%

VBIRX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: -0.09%
• 6M: 0.34%
• 1Y: 3.03%
• 3Y*: 4.42%
• 5Y*: 1.58%
• 10Y*: 1.86%

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

BSV vs. VBIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	0.32%	6.00%	3.78%	4.90%	-5.49%	-1.09%	4.70%	4.98%	1.34%	1.20%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.09%	6.09%	3.75%	4.87%	-5.63%	-1.20%	4.69%	4.86%	1.37%	1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between BSV and VBIRX is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007	0.77

The correlation between BSV and VBIRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (all time) to 0.90 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BSV vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSV

BSV Risk / Return Rank: 54
BSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
BSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
BSV Omega Ratio Rank: 55
BSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
BSV Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VBIRX

VBIRX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VBIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
VBIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VBIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VBIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VBIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

BSV vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) 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.

	BSV	VBIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	1.38	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	2.30	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.27	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	2.04	+0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.14	6.20	+1.94

BSV vs. VBIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSV Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the VBIRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSV and VBIRX, 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

BSV vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSV drawdown since its inception was -8.54%, roughly equal to the maximum VBIRX drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSV and VBIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSV	VBIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.54%	-8.69%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.29%	-1.54%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.53%	-1.55%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.54%	-8.64%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.54%	-8.69%	+0.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.60%	-1.02%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	-0.99%	+0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.39%	0.51%	-0.12%

Volatility

BSV vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) is 0.60%, while Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) has a volatility of 0.72%. This indicates that BSV 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.

Volatility by Period

	BSV	VBIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.60%	0.72%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.33%	1.64%	-0.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82%	2.28%	-0.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.73%	2.97%	-0.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.38%	2.41%	-0.03%

BSV vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VBIRX's 0.07% 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

BSV vs. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison

BSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, which matches VBIRX's 4.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares	3.99%	3.83%	3.38%	2.46%	1.50%	1.45%	1.79%	2.29%	1.99%	1.65%	1.48%	1.40%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.01%	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

Can I hold both BSV and VBIRX in my portfolio?

BSV and VBIRX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSV or VBIRX?

VBIRX has higher volatility (0.72%) compared to BSV (0.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSV dropped -8.54% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BSV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.38), 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.