PIOBX vs. VBILX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PIOBX (Pioneer Bond Fund) and VBILX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PIOBX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by Amundi, while VBILX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, PIOBX returned 2.01%/yr vs 1.88%/yr for VBILX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PIOBX charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBILX.

Performance

PIOBX vs. VBILX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pioneer Bond Fund (PIOBX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PIOBX achieves a 0.45% return, which is significantly higher than VBILX's -0.24% return. Over the past 10 years, PIOBX has outperformed VBILX with an annualized return of 2.01%, while VBILX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.88% annualized return.

PIOBX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 6M: 0.90%
• 1Y: 5.02%
• 3Y*: 4.18%
• 5Y*: -0.16%
• 10Y*: 2.01%

VBILX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: -0.24%
• 6M: 0.11%
• 1Y: 4.36%
• 3Y*: 4.48%
• 5Y*: 0.10%
• 10Y*: 1.88%

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

PIOBX vs. VBILX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PIOBX Pioneer Bond Fund	0.45%	8.09%	1.22%	5.68%	-14.96%	0.36%	8.51%	8.95%	-0.87%	4.24%
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.24%	8.57%	1.54%	6.09%	-13.59%	-2.36%	9.82%	10.20%	-0.15%	3.86%

Correlation

The correlation between PIOBX and VBILX is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.87

The correlation between PIOBX and VBILX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PIOBX vs. VBILX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIOBX

PIOBX Risk / Return Rank: 24
PIOBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
PIOBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
PIOBX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
PIOBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
PIOBX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

VBILX

VBILX Risk / Return Rank: 16
VBILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VBILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VBILX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
VBILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VBILX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

PIOBX vs. VBILX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pioneer Bond Fund (PIOBX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX). 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.

	PIOBX	VBILX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.08	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	1.63	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.19	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.69	1.31	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.97	3.66	+1.31

PIOBX vs. VBILX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIOBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the VBILX Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIOBX and VBILX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PIOBX vs. VBILX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIOBX drawdown since its inception was -21.80%, which is greater than VBILX's maximum drawdown of -19.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIOBX and VBILX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIOBX	VBILX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.80%	-19.26%	-2.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.06%	-3.43%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.11%	-6.05%	-1.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.64%	-19.15%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.64%	-19.26%	-0.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.20%	-2.03%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.55%	-3.15%	-0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	1.22%	-0.18%

Volatility

PIOBX vs. VBILX - Volatility Comparison

Pioneer Bond Fund (PIOBX) has a higher volatility of 1.55% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX) at 1.40%. This indicates that PIOBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBILX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PIOBX	VBILX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.55%	1.40%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.02%	3.11%	-0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.96%	4.13%	-0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.03%	6.39%	-0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.95%	5.37%	-0.42%

PIOBX vs. VBILX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIOBX has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than VBILX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIOBX vs. VBILX - Dividend Comparison

PIOBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.73%, less than VBILX's 4.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIOBX Pioneer Bond Fund	3.73%	3.78%	3.31%	2.46%	1.62%	5.71%	4.62%	3.02%	3.13%	3.01%	2.97%	3.05%
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.22%	4.01%	3.80%	3.09%	1.99%	3.39%	2.94%	2.73%	2.87%	2.73%	3.06%	3.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PIOBX and VBILX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PIOBX and VBILX 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.

Which is riskier, PIOBX or VBILX?

PIOBX has higher volatility (1.55%) compared to VBILX (1.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIOBX dropped -21.80% vs VBILX's -19.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PIOBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 1.08), 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.