FTBFX vs. VBTLX
FTBFX (Fidelity Total Bond Fund) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - FTBFX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Fidelity, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. FTBFX is actively managed, while VBTLX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTBFX returned 2.16%/yr vs 1.30%/yr for VBTLX. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FTBFX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBTLX.
Performance
FTBFX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTBFX achieves a -0.46% return, which is significantly higher than VBTLX's -0.70% return. Over the past 10 years, FTBFX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 2.16%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.30% annualized return.
FTBFX
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- -1.26%
- 6M
- -0.69%
- YTD
- -0.46%
- 1Y
- 2.07%
- 3Y*
- 4.27%
- 5Y*
- 0.12%
- 10Y*
- 2.16%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.88%
VBTLX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -1.25%
- 6M
- -0.93%
- YTD
- -0.70%
- 1Y
- 1.67%
- 3Y*
- 3.69%
- 5Y*
- -0.45%
- 10Y*
- 1.30%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.34%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
FTBFX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTBFX Fidelity Total Bond Fund | -0.46% | 7.50% | 2.13% | 7.25% | -13.58% | -0.44% | 9.34% | 9.89% | -0.66% | 4.19% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | -0.70% | 7.17% | 1.26% | 5.74% | -13.16% | -1.81% | 7.72% | 8.73% | -0.25% | 3.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTBFX and VBTLX is 0.95, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2002 | 0.93 |
The correlation between FTBFX and VBTLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FTBFX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank
FTBFX
VBTLX
FTBFX vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Total Bond Fund (FTBFX) 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.
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.
| FTBFX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.13 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.11 | 0.99 | +0.12 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.83 | 2.48 | +0.35 |
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Drawdowns
FTBFX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTBFX drawdown since its inception was -18.25%, roughly equal to the maximum VBTLX drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTBFX and VBTLX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTBFX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.25% | -18.81% | +0.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.89% | -2.89% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.96% | -4.86% | -0.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.25% | -18.14% | -0.11% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.25% | -18.81% | +0.56% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.31% | -3.27% | +0.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.31% | -2.67% | +0.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.13% | 1.15% | -0.02% |
Volatility
FTBFX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison
Fidelity Total Bond Fund (FTBFX) has a higher volatility of 1.04% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) at 0.96%. This indicates that FTBFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTBFX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.04% | 0.96% | +0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.00% | 2.97% | +0.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.76% | 3.82% | -0.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.68% | 6.01% | -0.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.74% | 4.98% | -0.24% |
FTBFX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTBFX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTBFX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison
FTBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.03%, more than VBTLX's 3.72% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTBFX Fidelity Total Bond Fund | 4.03% | 4.36% | 4.15% | 4.15% | 2.54% | 1.89% | 5.22% | 3.03% | 3.19% | 2.97% | 3.61% | 3.30% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.72% | 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
With a correlation of 0.95, FTBFX and VBTLX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
FTBFX has higher volatility (1.04%) compared to VBTLX (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTBFX dropped -18.25% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.
FTBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.86 vs 0.75), 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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