RFAYX vs. VBMPX
RFAYX (Russell Investments Investment Grade Bond Fund) and VBMPX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - RFAYX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Russell, while VBMPX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, RFAYX returned 1.34%/yr vs 1.34%/yr for VBMPX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RFAYX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VBMPX.
Performance
RFAYX vs. VBMPX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RFAYX achieves a -0.39% return, which is significantly higher than VBMPX's -0.69% return. Over a longer period, both investments have demonstrated similar performance, with their 10-year annualized returns being quite close: RFAYX at 1.34% and VBMPX at 1.34%.
RFAYX
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- -0.94%
- 6M
- -0.50%
- YTD
- -0.39%
- 1Y
- 1.92%
- 3Y*
- 4.06%
- 5Y*
- -0.96%
- 10Y*
- 1.34%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.26%
VBMPX
- 1D
- 0.21%
- 1M
- -1.25%
- 6M
- -0.82%
- YTD
- -0.69%
- 1Y
- 1.58%
- 3Y*
- 3.96%
- 5Y*
- -0.49%
- 10Y*
- 1.34%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.23%
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 |
RFAYX vs. VBMPX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RFAYX Russell Investments Investment Grade Bond Fund | -0.39% | 7.47% | 1.57% | 4.85% | -14.80% | -1.09% | 9.10% | 9.03% | -0.56% | 3.57% |
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | -0.69% | 7.18% | 1.27% | 5.75% | -13.14% | -1.95% | 7.75% | 8.74% | -0.24% | 3.58% |
Correlation
The correlation between RFAYX and VBMPX is 0.92, 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. | 0.92 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.96 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2010 | 0.92 |
The correlation between RFAYX and VBMPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
RFAYX vs. VBMPX — Risk / Return Rank
RFAYX
VBMPX
RFAYX vs. VBMPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Russell Investments Investment Grade Bond Fund (RFAYX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX). 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.
| RFAYX | VBMPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.08 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.75 | 0.59 | +0.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.86 | 1.44 | +0.42 |
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Drawdowns
RFAYX vs. VBMPX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RFAYX drawdown since its inception was -19.61%, roughly equal to the maximum VBMPX drawdown of -18.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFAYX and VBMPX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RFAYX | VBMPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.61% | -18.90% | -0.71% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.73% | -2.89% | +0.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.18% | -4.86% | -0.32% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.50% | -17.97% | -1.53% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.61% | -18.90% | -0.71% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.73% | -3.33% | -1.40% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.99% | -3.52% | +0.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.10% | 1.17% | -0.07% |
Volatility
RFAYX vs. VBMPX - Volatility Comparison
Russell Investments Investment Grade Bond Fund (RFAYX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX) have volatilities of 1.03% and 1.00%, 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
| RFAYX | VBMPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.03% | 1.00% | +0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.77% | 2.97% | -0.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.48% | 3.73% | -0.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.90% | 6.02% | -0.12% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.91% | 4.98% | -0.07% |
RFAYX vs. VBMPX - Expense Ratio Comparison
RFAYX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VBMPX's 0.02% expense ratio.
Dividends
RFAYX vs. VBMPX - Dividend Comparison
RFAYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.13%, more than VBMPX's 3.73% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RFAYX Russell Investments Investment Grade Bond Fund | 5.13% | 5.19% | 4.74% | 3.71% | 1.25% | 2.50% | 5.27% | 3.46% | 2.67% | 1.57% | 5.45% | 4.09% |
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 3.73% | 3.88% | 3.69% | 3.11% | 2.61% | 1.81% | 2.41% | 2.75% | 2.58% | 2.58% | 2.55% | 2.85% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.92, RFAYX and VBMPX 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.
RFAYX has higher volatility (1.03%) compared to VBMPX (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFAYX dropped -19.61% vs VBMPX's -18.90%.
RFAYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.59 vs 0.45), 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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