TAHTX vs. VBMFX
TAHTX (Transamerica High Yield Bond) and VBMFX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund) are both mutual funds - TAHTX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by Transamerica, while VBMFX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, TAHTX returned 4.33%/yr vs 1.38%/yr for VBMFX. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TAHTX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VBMFX.
Performance
TAHTX vs. VBMFX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TAHTX achieves a 1.09% return, which is significantly higher than VBMFX's 0.06% return. Over the past 10 years, TAHTX has outperformed VBMFX with an annualized return of 4.33%, while VBMFX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.38% annualized return.
TAHTX
- 1D
- -0.12%
- 1M
- 0.69%
- YTD
- 1.09%
- 6M
- 1.96%
- 1Y
- 6.97%
- 3Y*
- 8.07%
- 5Y*
- 2.89%
- 10Y*
- 4.33%
VBMFX
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 0.65%
- YTD
- 0.06%
- 6M
- 0.39%
- 1Y
- 4.02%
- 3Y*
- 3.82%
- 5Y*
- -0.08%
- 10Y*
- 1.38%
TAHTX vs. VBMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TAHTX Transamerica High Yield Bond | 1.09% | 8.73% | 7.83% | 9.14% | -13.10% | 6.22% | 3.66% | 14.12% | -2.36% | 5.98% |
VBMFX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund | 0.06% | 7.05% | 1.15% | 5.62% | -13.25% | -2.04% | 7.63% | 8.61% | -0.34% | 3.45% |
Correlation
The correlation between TAHTX and VBMFX is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012 | 0.19 |
Over the past year, TAHTX and VBMFX have become more correlated (0.54) than their long-term average of 0.19, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
TAHTX vs. VBMFX — Risk / Return Rank
TAHTX
VBMFX
TAHTX vs. VBMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Transamerica High Yield Bond (TAHTX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX). 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.
| TAHTX | VBMFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.93 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.93 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.19 | +0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.61 | 1.46 | +1.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.17 | 4.14 | +9.03 |
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Drawdowns
TAHTX vs. VBMFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TAHTX drawdown since its inception was -23.40%, which is greater than VBMFX's maximum drawdown of -19.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAHTX and VBMFX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TAHTX | VBMFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -23.40% | -19.08% | -4.32% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.79% | -2.91% | +0.12% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.41% | -6.02% | +1.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.57% | -18.24% | +1.67% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -23.40% | -19.08% | -4.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.37% | -3.21% | +2.84% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.92% | -2.70% | -2.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.55% | 1.03% | -0.48% |
Volatility
TAHTX vs. VBMFX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Transamerica High Yield Bond (TAHTX) is 0.95%, while Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX) has a volatility of 1.17%. This indicates that TAHTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBMFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| TAHTX | VBMFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.95% | 1.17% | -0.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.82% | 2.87% | -0.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.60% | 3.91% | -0.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.13% | 6.01% | -0.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.04% | 4.98% | +1.06% |
TAHTX vs. VBMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
TAHTX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than VBMFX's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
TAHTX vs. VBMFX - Dividend Comparison
TAHTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.03%, more than VBMFX's 3.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TAHTX Transamerica High Yield Bond | 7.03% | 6.94% | 6.60% | 4.20% | 3.74% | 4.59% | 4.67% | 5.57% | 6.30% | 4.43% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VBMFX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund | 3.88% | 3.76% | 3.57% | 2.99% | 2.49% | 1.72% | 2.31% | 2.63% | 2.47% | 2.45% | 2.43% | 2.71% |
Frequently Asked Questions
TAHTX and VBMFX have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VBMFX has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to TAHTX (0.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAHTX dropped -23.40% vs VBMFX's -19.08%.
TAHTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.09), 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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