PLBBX vs. VTMFX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

PLBBX (Plumb Balanced Fund) and VTMFX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, PLBBX returned 9.62%/yr vs 8.27%/yr for VTMFX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PLBBX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTMFX.

Performance

PLBBX vs. VTMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Plumb Balanced Fund (PLBBX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLBBX achieves a 8.31% return, which is significantly higher than VTMFX's 4.40% return. Over the past 10 years, PLBBX has outperformed VTMFX with an annualized return of 9.62%, while VTMFX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.27% annualized return.

PLBBX

• 1D: 2.45%
• 1M: -1.38%
• 6M: 5.52%
• YTD: 8.31%
• 1Y: 13.42%
• 3Y*: 12.62%
• 5Y*: 5.28%
• 10Y*: 9.62%
• ALL TIME*: 6.35%

VTMFX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: -1.15%
• 6M: 3.25%
• YTD: 4.40%
• 1Y: 11.79%
• 3Y*: 10.68%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 8.27%
• ALL TIME*: 7.75%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PLBBX Plumb Balanced Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

PLBBX vs. VTMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLBBX Plumb Balanced Fund	8.31%	10.54%	13.48%	25.13%	-22.24%	4.02%	21.66%	23.22%	-1.76%	23.23%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	4.40%	11.28%	12.17%	15.55%	-12.69%	13.10%	13.31%	18.01%	-1.40%	12.61%

Correlation

The correlation between PLBBX and VTMFX is 0.90, 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.	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2007	0.92

The correlation between PLBBX and VTMFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLBBX vs. VTMFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PLBBX

PLBBX Risk / Return Rank: 30
PLBBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
PLBBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
PLBBX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
PLBBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
PLBBX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

VTMFX

VTMFX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VTMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VTMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PLBBX vs. VTMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Plumb Balanced Fund (PLBBX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). 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.

	PLBBX	VTMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	1.66	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	2.34	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.30	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.73	2.06	-0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.81	9.19	-3.38

PLBBX vs. VTMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLBBX Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is lower than the VTMFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLBBX and VTMFX, 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

PLBBX vs. VTMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLBBX drawdown since its inception was -43.26%, which is greater than VTMFX's maximum drawdown of -28.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLBBX and VTMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLBBX	VTMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.26%	-28.49%	-14.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.04%	-5.38%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.59%	-10.61%	-8.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.70%	-17.40%	-13.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.70%	-21.87%	-8.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.26%	-1.54%	-0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.17%	-3.54%	-4.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.09%	1.20%	+0.89%

Volatility

PLBBX vs. VTMFX - Volatility Comparison

Plumb Balanced Fund (PLBBX) has a higher volatility of 4.27% compared to Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) at 1.85%. This indicates that PLBBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTMFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLBBX	VTMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.27%	1.85%	+2.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.41%	5.35%	+5.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.89%	6.67%	+6.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	8.59%	+7.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.37%	9.14%	+6.23%

PLBBX vs. VTMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLBBX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VTMFX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLBBX vs. VTMFX - Dividend Comparison

PLBBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.67%, more than VTMFX's 2.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLBBX Plumb Balanced Fund	8.67%	9.39%	6.63%	0.94%	7.75%	8.15%	0.40%	2.47%	1.70%	0.64%	0.52%	0.71%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	2.22%	2.14%	2.08%	1.94%	1.85%	1.38%	1.72%	2.05%	2.22%	2.00%	2.13%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLBBX and VTMFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, PLBBX and VTMFX 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, PLBBX or VTMFX?

PLBBX has higher volatility (4.27%) compared to VTMFX (1.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLBBX dropped -43.26% vs VTMFX's -28.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 0.94), 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.