DTRIX vs. VBIRX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DTRIX (Delaware Limited-Term Diversified Income Fund) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - DTRIX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by Delaware Funds, while VBIRX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, DTRIX returned 2.13%/yr vs 1.92%/yr for VBIRX. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DTRIX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIRX.

Performance

DTRIX vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Delaware Limited-Term Diversified Income Fund (DTRIX) 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, DTRIX achieves a 0.73% return, which is significantly higher than VBIRX's 0.30% return. Over the past 10 years, DTRIX has outperformed VBIRX with an annualized return of 2.13%, while VBIRX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.92% annualized return.

DTRIX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 1.05%
• 1Y: 3.77%
• 3Y*: 4.49%
• 5Y*: 1.98%
• 10Y*: 2.13%

VBIRX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 0.30%
• 6M: 0.64%
• 1Y: 3.74%
• 3Y*: 4.42%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 1.92%

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

DTRIX vs. VBIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DTRIX Delaware Limited-Term Diversified Income Fund	0.73%	5.13%	4.38%	4.79%	-4.25%	-0.45%	4.43%	5.51%	-1.10%	2.47%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.30%	6.09%	3.75%	4.87%	-5.63%	-1.20%	4.69%	4.86%	1.37%	1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between DTRIX and VBIRX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.70

The correlation between DTRIX and VBIRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (all time) to 0.85 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DTRIX vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DTRIX

DTRIX Risk / Return Rank: 75
DTRIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
DTRIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
DTRIX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DTRIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
DTRIX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VBIRX

VBIRX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VBIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VBIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VBIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VBIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VBIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

DTRIX vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Delaware Limited-Term Diversified Income Fund (DTRIX) 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.

	DTRIX	VBIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	1.62	+0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	2.73	+0.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.32	+0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.22	2.64	+1.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.78	8.63	+8.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DTRIX vs. VBIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DTRIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the VBIRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DTRIX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DTRIX	VBIRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	1.62	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.55	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.02	0.80	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.41	0.97	+0.43

Drawdowns

DTRIX vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DTRIX drawdown since its inception was -7.03%, smaller than the maximum VBIRX drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DTRIX and VBIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DTRIX	VBIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.03%	-8.69%	+1.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.01%	-1.54%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.01%	-1.55%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.03%	-8.64%	+1.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.03%	-8.69%	+1.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-0.63%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.99%	-0.99%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	0.47%	-0.22%

Volatility

DTRIX vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Delaware Limited-Term Diversified Income Fund (DTRIX) is 0.63%, while Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) has a volatility of 0.71%. This indicates that DTRIX 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

	DTRIX	VBIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.63%	0.71%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.38%	1.63%	-0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91%	2.26%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.31%	2.96%	-0.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.10%	2.40%	-0.30%

DTRIX vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DTRIX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIRX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

DTRIX vs. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison

DTRIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.97%, which matches VBIRX's 3.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DTRIX Delaware Limited-Term Diversified Income Fund	3.97%	3.97%	3.88%	3.09%	2.46%	1.84%	2.27%	3.76%	2.79%	2.68%	1.65%	1.70%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.99%	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 DTRIX and VBIRX in my portfolio?

DTRIX and VBIRX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DTRIX or VBIRX?

VBIRX has higher volatility (0.71%) compared to DTRIX (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DTRIX dropped -7.03% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DTRIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.62), 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.