SIBPX vs. VBISX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SIBPX (Saratoga Investment Quality Bond Portfolio) and VBISX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, SIBPX returned 1.10%/yr vs 1.44%/yr for VBISX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SIBPX charges 1.54%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VBISX.

Performance

SIBPX vs. VBISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Saratoga Investment Quality Bond Portfolio (SIBPX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SIBPX achieves a -0.75% return, which is significantly lower than VBISX's 0.26% return.

SIBPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: -0.75%
• 6M: -1.11%
• 1Y: 3.13%
• 3Y*: 2.93%
• 5Y*: 1.10%
• 10Y*: —

VBISX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 3.64%
• 3Y*: 4.14%
• 5Y*: 1.44%
• 10Y*: 1.79%

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

SIBPX vs. VBISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SIBPX Saratoga Investment Quality Bond Portfolio	-0.75%	6.50%	0.78%	2.90%	-2.51%	-1.73%	3.34%	3.84%	-0.72%	-0.13%
VBISX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund	0.26%	5.67%	3.66%	4.54%	-5.61%	-1.35%	4.63%	4.78%	1.27%	0.08%

Correlation

The correlation between SIBPX and VBISX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2017	0.75

The correlation between SIBPX and VBISX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SIBPX vs. VBISX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIBPX

SIBPX Risk / Return Rank: 10
SIBPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
SIBPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
SIBPX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
SIBPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
SIBPX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

VBISX

VBISX Risk / Return Rank: 37
VBISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
VBISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VBISX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VBISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VBISX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

SIBPX vs. VBISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Saratoga Investment Quality Bond Portfolio (SIBPX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX). 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.

	SIBPX	VBISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	1.64	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.19	2.75	-1.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.33	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.95	2.37	-1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.86	7.61	-4.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SIBPX vs. VBISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIBPX Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is lower than the VBISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIBPX and VBISX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SIBPX	VBISX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80	1.64	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.49	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	1.34	-0.89

Drawdowns

SIBPX vs. VBISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIBPX drawdown since its inception was -5.57%, smaller than the maximum VBISX drawdown of -8.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIBPX and VBISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIBPX	VBISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.57%	-8.79%	+3.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.30%	-1.54%	-1.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.28%	-1.55%	-2.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.83%	-8.72%	+3.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-8.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.08%	-0.66%	-1.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.71%	-0.87%	-0.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.10%	0.48%	+0.62%

Volatility

SIBPX vs. VBISX - Volatility Comparison

Saratoga Investment Quality Bond Portfolio (SIBPX) has a higher volatility of 1.22% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBISX) at 0.69%. This indicates that SIBPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBISX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SIBPX	VBISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.22%	0.69%	+0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.67%	1.59%	+1.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.93%	2.24%	+1.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.36%	2.94%	+0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.75%	2.38%	+0.37%

SIBPX vs. VBISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIBPX has a 1.54% expense ratio, which is higher than VBISX's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIBPX vs. VBISX - Dividend Comparison

SIBPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.04%, less than VBISX's 3.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SIBPX Saratoga Investment Quality Bond Portfolio	2.04%	2.24%	2.31%	1.54%	0.14%	1.39%	0.58%	0.99%	1.21%	1.03%	0.00%	0.00%
VBISX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund	3.90%	3.44%	3.29%	2.10%	1.38%	1.16%	1.72%	2.16%	1.92%	1.58%	1.42%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIBPX and VBISX in my portfolio?

SIBPX and VBISX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIBPX or VBISX?

SIBPX has higher volatility (1.22%) compared to VBISX (0.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIBPX dropped -5.57% vs VBISX's -8.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 0.80), 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.