SAMBX vs. VBIRX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

SAMBX (Virtus Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - SAMBX is a Bank Loan fund managed by Virtus, while VBIRX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, SAMBX returned 4.73%/yr vs 1.87%/yr for VBIRX. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SAMBX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIRX.

Performance

SAMBX vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund (SAMBX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAMBX achieves a 2.29% return, which is significantly higher than VBIRX's 0.01% return. Over the past 10 years, SAMBX has outperformed VBIRX with an annualized return of 4.73%, while VBIRX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.87% annualized return.

SAMBX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 2.29%
• 6M: 3.01%
• 1Y: 7.02%
• 3Y*: 7.24%
• 5Y*: 5.46%
• 10Y*: 4.73%

VBIRX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 0.01%
• 6M: 0.44%
• 1Y: 3.03%
• 3Y*: 4.46%
• 5Y*: 1.62%
• 10Y*: 1.87%

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

SAMBX vs. VBIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAMBX Virtus Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund	2.29%	5.88%	7.03%	11.21%	-0.86%	4.86%	0.41%	6.66%	0.24%	3.89%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.01%	6.09%	3.75%	4.87%	-5.63%	-1.20%	4.69%	4.86%	1.37%	1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between SAMBX and VBIRX is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2007	0.08

The correlation between SAMBX and VBIRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (all time) to 0.22 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SAMBX vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAMBX

SAMBX Risk / Return Rank: 97
SAMBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SAMBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
SAMBX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
SAMBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
SAMBX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

VBIRX

VBIRX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VBIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
VBIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VBIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VBIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VBIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

SAMBX vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund (SAMBX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). 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.

	SAMBX	VBIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.86	1.38	+1.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.15	2.30	+4.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.06	1.27	+0.79
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.01	2.04	+6.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	28.06	6.16	+21.90

SAMBX vs. VBIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAMBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.86, which is higher than the VBIRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAMBX and VBIRX, 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

SAMBX vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAMBX drawdown since its inception was -24.74%, which is greater than VBIRX's maximum drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAMBX and VBIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAMBX	VBIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.74%	-8.69%	-16.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.78%	-1.54%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.95%	-1.55%	-1.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.66%	-8.64%	+2.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.91%	-8.69%	-12.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.39%	-0.92%	+0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.58%	-0.99%	-0.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	0.51%	-0.26%

Volatility

SAMBX vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund (SAMBX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) have volatilities of 0.72% and 0.73%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	SAMBX	VBIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.72%	0.73%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.79%	1.64%	+0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46%	2.27%	+0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.96%	2.97%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.94%	2.40%	+1.54%

SAMBX vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAMBX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIRX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAMBX vs. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison

SAMBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.45%, more than VBIRX's 4.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAMBX Virtus Seix Floating Rate High Income Fund	7.45%	7.78%	8.21%	8.21%	5.34%	3.03%	4.03%	5.28%	5.15%	4.28%	4.79%	4.91%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.00%	3.83%	3.37%	2.41%	1.46%	1.22%	1.77%	2.24%	2.03%	1.66%	1.50%	1.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAMBX and VBIRX in my portfolio?

SAMBX and VBIRX have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAMBX or VBIRX?

VBIRX has higher volatility (0.73%) compared to SAMBX (0.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAMBX dropped -24.74% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SAMBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 1.38), 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.