RBFFX vs. VBTLX
RBFFX (American Funds The Bond Fund of America) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - RBFFX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by American Funds, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, RBFFX returned 2.01%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBTLX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RBFFX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBTLX.
Performance
RBFFX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RBFFX achieves a 0.22% return, which is significantly lower than VBTLX's 0.42% return. Over the past 10 years, RBFFX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 2.01%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.
RBFFX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.47%
- YTD
- 0.22%
- 6M
- 0.16%
- 1Y
- 5.34%
- 3Y*
- 3.98%
- 5Y*
- 0.16%
- 10Y*
- 2.01%
VBTLX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- 1Y
- 5.34%
- 3Y*
- 4.05%
- 5Y*
- 0.21%
- 10Y*
- 1.58%
RBFFX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RBFFX American Funds The Bond Fund of America | 0.22% | 7.49% | 1.47% | 4.65% | -13.03% | -0.64% | 11.07% | 8.13% | 0.17% | 3.53% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.42% | 7.17% | 1.26% | 5.74% | -13.16% | -1.81% | 7.72% | 8.73% | -0.25% | 3.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between RBFFX and VBTLX is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2003 | 0.89 |
The correlation between RBFFX and VBTLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
RBFFX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank
RBFFX
VBTLX
RBFFX vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Bond Fund of America (RBFFX) 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.
| RBFFX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.24 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.74 | 1.86 | -0.12 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.20 | 5.58 | -0.38 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| RBFFX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.36 | 1.36 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.03 | 0.04 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.41 | 0.32 | +0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.82 | 0.76 | +0.06 |
Drawdowns
RBFFX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RBFFX drawdown since its inception was -17.62%, smaller than the maximum VBTLX drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBFFX and VBTLX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RBFFX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.62% | -18.81% | +1.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.09% | -2.89% | -0.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | -6.00% | -0.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.62% | -18.14% | +0.52% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.62% | -18.81% | +1.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.50% | -2.18% | +0.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.81% | -2.67% | -0.14% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.03% | 0.96% | +0.07% |
Volatility
RBFFX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison
American Funds The Bond Fund of America (RBFFX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) have volatilities of 1.40% and 1.38%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RBFFX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.40% | 1.38% | +0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.84% | 2.80% | +0.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.96% | 3.97% | -0.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.97% | 6.01% | -0.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.90% | 4.98% | -0.08% |
RBFFX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison
RBFFX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
RBFFX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison
RBFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, more than VBTLX's 3.98% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RBFFX American Funds The Bond Fund of America | 4.45% | 4.43% | 4.61% | 3.53% | 2.42% | 2.31% | 5.34% | 3.76% | 2.67% | 2.14% | 2.07% | 2.30% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.98% | 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 0.96, RBFFX 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.
RBFFX has higher volatility (1.40%) compared to VBTLX (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBFFX dropped -17.62% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.
RBFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.36), 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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