SVOL vs. BNDW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SVOL (Simplify Volatility Premium ETF) and BNDW (Vanguard Total World Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SVOL is a Volatility fund actively managed by Simplify, while BNDW is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index. SVOL is actively managed, while BNDW is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SVOL returned 6.70%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for BNDW. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SVOL charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for BNDW.

Performance

SVOL vs. BNDW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) and Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SVOL achieves a -0.40% return, which is significantly lower than BNDW's 0.42% return.

SVOL

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 2.98%
• YTD: -0.40%
• 6M: 1.29%
• 1Y: 10.62%
• 3Y*: 6.58%
• 5Y*: 6.70%
• 10Y*: —

BNDW

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.18%
• 1Y: 3.51%
• 3Y*: 3.99%
• 5Y*: 0.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

SVOL vs. BNDW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	-0.40%	2.41%	6.77%	22.88%	-3.30%	12.25%
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF	0.42%	5.02%	2.42%	7.18%	-12.88%	0.95%

Correlation

The correlation between SVOL and BNDW is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2021	0.16

SVOL vs. BNDW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SVOL	BNDW
Technology	31.9%	100.0%
Financial Services	11.4%	-
Industrials	11.4%	-
Healthcare	11.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	-
Communication Services	7.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	-
Energy	4.8%	-
Real Estate	2.8%	-
Basic Materials	2.5%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-

Return for Risk

SVOL vs. BNDW — Risk / Return Rank

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

SVOL

SVOL Risk / Return Rank: 18
SVOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
SVOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
SVOL Omega Ratio Rank: 18
SVOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
SVOL Martin Ratio Rank: 18

BNDW

BNDW Risk / Return Rank: 27
BNDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
BNDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
BNDW Omega Ratio Rank: 26
BNDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
BNDW Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

SVOL vs. BNDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) and Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW). 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.

	SVOL	BNDW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.51	1.05	-0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.85	1.50	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.18	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.82	1.31	-0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.94	3.70	-1.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SVOL vs. BNDW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SVOL Sharpe Ratio is 0.51, which is lower than the BNDW Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SVOL and BNDW, 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

	SVOL	BNDW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.51	1.05	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.04	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.37	-0.02

Drawdowns

SVOL vs. BNDW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SVOL drawdown since its inception was -33.50%, which is greater than BNDW's maximum drawdown of -17.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVOL and BNDW.

Drawdown Indicators

	SVOL	BNDW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.50%	-17.22%	-16.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.01%	-2.70%	-10.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.50%	-4.27%	-29.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.50%	-16.93%	-16.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.98%	-1.53%	-1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.77%	-4.98%	+0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.49%	0.95%	+4.54%

Volatility

SVOL vs. BNDW - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) has a higher volatility of 1.41% compared to Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) at 1.31%. This indicates that SVOL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BNDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SVOL	BNDW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.41%	1.31%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.57%	2.62%	+6.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.90%	3.36%	+17.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.99%	5.21%	+16.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.92%	4.90%	+17.02%

SVOL vs. BNDW - Expense Ratio Comparison

SVOL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than BNDW's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

SVOL vs. BNDW - Dividend Comparison

SVOL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.10%, more than BNDW's 4.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF	4.21%	4.12%	3.90%	3.73%	2.02%	2.58%	1.56%	3.05%	1.66%
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	22.10%	19.82%	16.79%	16.36%	18.32%	4.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SVOL and BNDW in my portfolio?

SVOL and BNDW have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SVOL or BNDW?

SVOL has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to BNDW (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVOL dropped -33.50% vs BNDW's -17.22%.

Which ETF is better, SVOL or BNDW?

On 5-year performance, SVOL leads with 6.70% vs 0.22% for BNDW. On fees, BNDW is cheaper at 0.05% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SVOL or BNDW?

Over the 5-year period, SVOL has performed better with a 6.70% return vs 0.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SVOL or BNDW?

BNDW is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SVOL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SVOL or BNDW?

SVOL has the higher dividend yield at 22.10%, compared with 4.21% for BNDW.

What is the main difference between SVOL and BNDW?

SVOL is categorized as Volatility, while BNDW is Global Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SVOL and 0.05% for BNDW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BNDW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.05 vs 0.51), 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.