CMBS vs. VBTLX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CMBS (iShares CMBS ETF) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - CMBS is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund tracking the Barclays Capital U.S. CMBS (ERISA Only) Index, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, CMBS returned 2.06%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBTLX. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CMBS charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBTLX.

Performance

CMBS vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CMBS achieves a 0.18% return, which is significantly lower than VBTLX's 0.42% return. Over the past 10 years, CMBS has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 2.06%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.

CMBS

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: -0.19%
• YTD: 0.18%
• 6M: 0.40%
• 1Y: 4.38%
• 3Y*: 5.16%
• 5Y*: 0.79%
• 10Y*: 2.06%

VBTLX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 4.05%
• 5Y*: 0.18%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

CMBS vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CMBS iShares CMBS ETF	0.18%	7.67%	4.27%	5.06%	-11.21%	-1.82%	7.86%	7.94%	0.77%	2.95%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.42%	7.17%	1.26%	5.74%	-13.16%	-1.81%	7.72%	8.73%	-0.25%	3.56%

Correlation

The correlation between CMBS and VBTLX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 17, 2012	0.53

The correlation between CMBS and VBTLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.65 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CMBS vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CMBS

CMBS Risk / Return Rank: 33
CMBS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
CMBS Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CMBS Omega Ratio Rank: 31
CMBS Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
CMBS Martin Ratio Rank: 32

VBTLX

VBTLX Risk / Return Rank: 20
VBTLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VBTLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VBTLX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
VBTLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VBTLX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

CMBS vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares CMBS ETF (CMBS) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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.

	CMBS	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	1.27	-0.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	1.91	-0.09
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.22	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	1.93	-0.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.01	5.84	-0.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CMBS vs. VBTLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CMBS Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is comparable to the VBTLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CMBS and VBTLX, 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

	CMBS	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.19	1.27	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	0.03	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.32	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.76	-0.33

Drawdowns

CMBS vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CMBS drawdown since its inception was -15.87%, smaller than the maximum VBTLX drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CMBS and VBTLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CMBS	VBTLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.87%	-18.81%	+2.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.44%	-2.89%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.29%	-6.00%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.87%	-18.14%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.87%	-18.81%	+2.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.73%	-2.18%	+0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.95%	-2.67%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	0.96%	-0.09%

Volatility

CMBS vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares CMBS ETF (CMBS) is 1.13%, while Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) has a volatility of 1.38%. This indicates that CMBS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CMBS	VBTLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	1.38%	-0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.83%	2.80%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.71%	3.98%	-0.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.31%	6.01%	-0.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.77%	4.98%	+0.79%

CMBS vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CMBS has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

CMBS vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison

CMBS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.58%, less than VBTLX's 3.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CMBS iShares CMBS ETF	3.58%	3.45%	3.31%	2.97%	2.65%	2.46%	2.83%	2.74%	2.70%	2.50%	2.29%	2.31%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.98%	3.87%	3.69%	3.10%	2.59%	1.96%	2.39%	2.74%	2.57%	2.56%	2.53%	2.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CMBS and VBTLX in my portfolio?

CMBS and VBTLX have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CMBS or VBTLX?

VBTLX has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to CMBS (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CMBS dropped -15.87% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBTLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 1.19), 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.