TSUMX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

TSUMX (Thornburg Summit Fund Class I) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds - TSUMX tracks the MSCI AC World NR USD while VBAIX tracks the Balanced Composite Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, TSUMX returned 8.50%/yr vs 7.91%/yr for VBAIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TSUMX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

TSUMX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Thornburg Summit Fund Class I (TSUMX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with TSUMX having a 7.52% return and VBAIX slightly lower at 7.19%.

TSUMX

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -1.24%
• 6M: 4.71%
• YTD: 7.52%
• 1Y: 18.54%
• 3Y*: 15.23%
• 5Y*: 8.50%
• 10Y*: —

VBAIX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 1.12%
• 6M: 5.62%
• YTD: 7.19%
• 1Y: 15.19%
• 3Y*: 15.23%
• 5Y*: 7.91%
• 10Y*: 9.88%

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

TSUMX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
TSUMX Thornburg Summit Fund Class I	7.52%	20.51%	11.42%	12.31%	-9.79%	14.63%	27.80%	9.43%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.19%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	12.96%

Correlation

The correlation between TSUMX and VBAIX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 12, 2019	0.87

The correlation between TSUMX and VBAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TSUMX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSUMX

TSUMX Risk / Return Rank: 80
TSUMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
TSUMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
TSUMX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
TSUMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
TSUMX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

TSUMX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Thornburg Summit Fund Class I (TSUMX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.

	TSUMX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	1.77	+0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	2.51	+0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.32	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	2.53	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.90	11.09	-0.19

TSUMX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSUMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSUMX and VBAIX, 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

TSUMX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSUMX drawdown since its inception was -28.87%, smaller than the maximum VBAIX drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSUMX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSUMX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.87%	-35.82%	+6.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.27%	-5.84%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.37%	-11.57%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.87%	-21.52%	-7.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.77%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.61%	-0.19%	-2.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.53%	-4.41%	-3.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.65%	1.33%	+0.32%

Volatility

TSUMX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Thornburg Summit Fund Class I (TSUMX) is 2.48%, while Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) has a volatility of 2.83%. This indicates that TSUMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSUMX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.48%	2.83%	-0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.53%	6.74%	-0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.33%	8.36%	-0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.97%	11.18%	+2.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.66%	11.24%	+2.42%

TSUMX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSUMX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than VBAIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSUMX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

TSUMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.45%, more than VBAIX's 5.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TSUMX Thornburg Summit Fund Class I	6.45%	6.22%	4.86%	2.03%	2.61%	19.21%	5.11%	1.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.32%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSUMX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

TSUMX and VBAIX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSUMX or VBAIX?

VBAIX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to TSUMX (2.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSUMX dropped -28.87% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TSUMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.77), 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.