DODBX vs. VTEAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DODBX (Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund) and VTEAX (Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - DODBX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Dodge & Cox, while VTEAX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, DODBX returned 9.36%/yr vs 2.13%/yr for VTEAX. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. DODBX charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTEAX.

Performance

DODBX vs. VTEAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund (DODBX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DODBX achieves a 1.73% return, which is significantly higher than VTEAX's 1.45% return. Over the past 10 years, DODBX has outperformed VTEAX with an annualized return of 9.36%, while VTEAX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.13% annualized return.

DODBX

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: 1.73%
• 6M: 2.95%
• 1Y: 9.66%
• 3Y*: 11.80%
• 5Y*: 6.17%
• 10Y*: 9.36%

VTEAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.79%
• 1Y: 6.85%
• 3Y*: 3.62%
• 5Y*: 0.96%
• 10Y*: 2.13%

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

DODBX vs. VTEAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DODBX Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund	1.73%	14.44%	8.76%	13.77%	-7.30%	19.21%	7.93%	19.64%	-4.66%	11.51%
VTEAX Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.45%	3.67%	1.63%	6.39%	-8.21%	1.43%	4.97%	7.45%	0.99%	4.94%

Correlation

The correlation between DODBX and VTEAX is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 2015	-0.03

The correlation between DODBX and VTEAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (all time) to 0.27 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DODBX vs. VTEAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DODBX

DODBX Risk / Return Rank: 23
DODBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
DODBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
DODBX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
DODBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
DODBX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

VTEAX

VTEAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VTEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VTEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VTEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VTEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

DODBX vs. VTEAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund (DODBX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX). 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.

	DODBX	VTEAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	3.00	-1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	4.43	-2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.76	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	2.68	-0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.17	9.31	-3.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DODBX vs. VTEAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DODBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the VTEAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DODBX and VTEAX, 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

	DODBX	VTEAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	3.00	-1.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.27	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71	0.58	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.70	+0.03

Drawdowns

DODBX vs. VTEAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DODBX drawdown since its inception was -50.20%, which is greater than VTEAX's maximum drawdown of -12.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DODBX and VTEAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DODBX	VTEAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.20%	-12.75%	-37.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.72%	-2.65%	-3.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.45%	-5.46%	-2.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.74%	-12.75%	-4.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.29%	-12.75%	-18.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.11%	-0.55%	-1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.68%	-2.26%	-2.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	0.76%	+0.85%

Volatility

DODBX vs. VTEAX - Volatility Comparison

Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund (DODBX) has a higher volatility of 1.82% compared to Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX) at 0.98%. This indicates that DODBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTEAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DODBX	VTEAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.82%	0.98%	+0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.32%	1.84%	+3.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.17%	2.37%	+4.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.78%	3.61%	+7.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.24%	3.67%	+9.57%

DODBX vs. VTEAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DODBX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than VTEAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DODBX vs. VTEAX - Dividend Comparison

DODBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.10%, more than VTEAX's 3.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DODBX Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund	7.10%	7.53%	8.21%	4.64%	8.67%	10.62%	6.92%	9.35%	9.57%	7.53%	5.59%	5.44%
VTEAX Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.32%	3.26%	3.36%	2.98%	2.05%	1.60%	1.97%	2.27%	2.24%	1.95%	1.67%	0.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DODBX and VTEAX in my portfolio?

DODBX and VTEAX have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DODBX or VTEAX?

DODBX has higher volatility (1.82%) compared to VTEAX (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DODBX dropped -50.20% vs VTEAX's -12.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 1.39), 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.