BVATX vs. BIBTX
BVATX (Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax Free Fund) and BIBTX (Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - BVATX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Sterling Capital, while BIBTX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Sterling Capital. Over the past 10 years, BVATX returned 1.36%/yr vs 1.98%/yr for BIBTX. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BVATX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for BIBTX.
Performance
BVATX vs. BIBTX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
Over the past 10 years, BVATX has underperformed BIBTX with an annualized return of 1.36%, while BIBTX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.98% annualized return.
BVATX
- 1D
- -0.09%
- 1M
- 1.13%
- YTD
- 0.70%
- 6M
- 1.01%
- 1Y
- 4.27%
- 3Y*
- 2.81%
- 5Y*
- 0.68%
- 10Y*
- 1.36%
BIBTX
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- 0.61%
- YTD
- -0.00%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- 1Y
- 4.20%
- 3Y*
- 4.01%
- 5Y*
- 0.03%
- 10Y*
- 1.98%
BVATX vs. BIBTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BVATX Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax Free Fund | 0.70% | 4.70% | 0.32% | 3.60% | -5.59% | -0.59% | 4.28% | 6.32% | 0.79% | 3.28% |
BIBTX Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund | -0.00% | 6.93% | 2.17% | 5.53% | -13.24% | -1.21% | 9.24% | 9.29% | -0.34% | 4.34% |
Correlation
The correlation between BVATX and BIBTX is 0.58, 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 | 0.58 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 1999 | 0.58 |
The correlation between BVATX and BIBTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BVATX vs. BIBTX — Risk / Return Rank
BVATX
BIBTX
BVATX vs. BIBTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax Free Fund (BVATX) and Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund (BIBTX). 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.
| BVATX | BIBTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.60 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.59 | 1.19 | +0.39 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.70 | 1.46 | +0.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.27 | 4.00 | +1.27 |
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Drawdowns
BVATX vs. BIBTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BVATX drawdown since its inception was -10.24%, smaller than the maximum BIBTX drawdown of -18.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BVATX and BIBTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BVATX | BIBTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -10.24% | -18.28% | +8.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.57% | -3.05% | +0.48% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.25% | -6.33% | +2.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.97% | -18.28% | +8.31% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -10.24% | -18.28% | +8.04% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.95% | -1.82% | +0.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.61% | -2.38% | +0.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.83% | 1.11% | -0.28% |
Volatility
BVATX vs. BIBTX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax Free Fund (BVATX) is 0.57%, while Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund (BIBTX) has a volatility of 1.24%. This indicates that BVATX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BIBTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BVATX | BIBTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.57% | 1.24% | -0.67% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.63% | 2.98% | -1.35% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.99% | 3.97% | -1.98% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.81% | 5.82% | -3.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.19% | 4.90% | -1.71% |
BVATX vs. BIBTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
BVATX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than BIBTX's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
BVATX vs. BIBTX - Dividend Comparison
BVATX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, less than BIBTX's 4.27% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIBTX Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund | 4.27% | 4.09% | 4.11% | 3.17% | 2.82% | 3.15% | 4.03% | 3.12% | 3.22% | 3.00% | 3.27% | 3.55% |
BVATX Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax Free Fund | 2.54% | 3.36% | 2.67% | 1.89% | 1.81% | 1.65% | 2.03% | 2.27% | 2.24% | 2.20% | 3.06% | 2.71% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BVATX and BIBTX have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BIBTX has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to BVATX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BVATX dropped -10.24% vs BIBTX's -18.28%.
BVATX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.12), 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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