TOTR vs. BND

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TOTR (T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TOTR is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. TOTR is actively managed, while BND is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TOTR returned 4.40%/yr vs 3.96%/yr for BND. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TOTR charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.

Performance

TOTR vs. BND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF (TOTR) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TOTR achieves a 0.31% return, which is significantly higher than BND's 0.27% return.

TOTR

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 6M: 0.27%
• 1Y: 5.48%
• 3Y*: 4.40%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BND

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 0.27%
• 6M: 0.12%
• 1Y: 5.11%
• 3Y*: 3.96%
• 5Y*: 0.09%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

TOTR vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TOTR T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF	0.31%	7.41%	2.43%	6.27%	-15.88%	0.14%
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	0.27%	7.08%	1.38%	5.65%	-13.11%	-0.06%

Correlation

The correlation between TOTR and BND is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2021	0.96

The correlation between TOTR and BND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TOTR vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank

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

TOTR

TOTR Risk / Return Rank: 38
TOTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
TOTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
TOTR Omega Ratio Rank: 35
TOTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
TOTR Martin Ratio Rank: 41

BND

BND Risk / Return Rank: 37
BND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
BND Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
BND Omega Ratio Rank: 35
BND Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
BND Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

TOTR vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF (TOTR) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.

	TOTR	BND	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	1.36	-0.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	2.03	-0.09
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.24	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	1.92	+0.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.48	5.80	+0.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TOTR vs. BND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TOTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is comparable to the BND Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TOTR and BND, 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

	TOTR	BND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	1.36	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.01	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.29	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.04	0.59	-0.63

Drawdowns

TOTR vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TOTR drawdown since its inception was -19.63%, which is greater than BND's maximum drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TOTR and BND.

Drawdown Indicators

	TOTR	BND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.63%	-18.58%	-1.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.56%	-2.68%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.16%	-5.92%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.91%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.58%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.97%	-2.37%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.00%	-3.06%	-5.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	0.88%	-0.03%

Volatility

TOTR vs. BND - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF (TOTR) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) have volatilities of 1.25% and 1.23%, 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

	TOTR	BND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.25%	1.23%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.70%	2.66%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.37%	3.78%	+0.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.22%	6.02%	+0.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.22%	5.53%	+0.69%

TOTR vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison

TOTR has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

TOTR vs. BND - Dividend Comparison

TOTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.31%, more than BND's 3.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	3.97%	3.86%	3.67%	3.09%	2.60%	2.12%	2.38%	2.72%	2.81%	2.54%	2.51%	2.57%
TOTR T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF	5.31%	5.14%	5.32%	4.71%	3.45%	0.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TOTR and BND in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, TOTR and BND 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.

Which is riskier, TOTR or BND?

TOTR has higher volatility (1.25%) compared to BND (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TOTR dropped -19.63% vs BND's -18.58%.

Which ETF is better, TOTR or BND?

On 3-year performance, TOTR leads with 4.40% vs 3.96% for BND. On fees, BND is cheaper at 0.03% 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, TOTR or BND?

Over the 3-year period, TOTR has performed better with a 4.40% return vs 3.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TOTR or BND?

BND is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.31% for TOTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TOTR or BND?

TOTR has the higher dividend yield at 5.31%, compared with 3.97% for BND.

What is the main difference between TOTR and BND?

TOTR is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while BND is Total Bond Market. They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.31% for TOTR and 0.03% for BND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.26), 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.