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VABS vs. VFIAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VABS vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VABS (Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VABS is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. VABS is actively managed, while VFIAX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VABS returned 3.26%/yr vs 13.57%/yr for VFIAX. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VABS charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

VABS vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VABS achieves a 1.70% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 9.77% return.

VABS

1D
0.08%
1M
0.45%
YTD
1.70%
6M
1.84%
1Y
3.93%
3Y*
6.26%
5Y*
3.26%
10Y*
—

VFIAX

1D
-0.36%
1M
0.10%
YTD
9.77%
6M
8.77%
1Y
25.48%
3Y*
21.36%
5Y*
13.57%
10Y*
15.76%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VABS vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
VABS
Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF		1.70%5.40%7.59%7.61%-5.24%0.37%
VFIAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares		9.77%17.83%24.97%26.24%-18.16%23.36%

Correlation

The correlation between VABS and VFIAX is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.12

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.10

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.04

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 10, 2021

0.05

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Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with VABS:
VABS vs. JSCPVABS vs. TDTFVABS vs. USTBVABS vs. JSIVABS vs. JPLDVABS vs. GSSTVABS vs. TBUX
Often compared with VFIAX:
VFIAX vs. VOOVFIAX vs. VTIVFIAX vs. SPYVFIAX vs. VITAXVFIAX vs. VVIAXVFIAX vs. VFIFXVFIAX vs. VBIAX

Return for Risk

VABS vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VABS
VABS Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VABS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6464
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VABS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6262
Sortino Ratio Rank
VABS Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
VABS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8181
Calmar Ratio Rank
VABS Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
VFIAX
VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5959
Omega Ratio Rank
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7878
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VABS vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

VABSVFIAXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.97
2.15

-0.18

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.70
2.91

-0.20

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.43

1.39

+0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.01

3.01

+1.00

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.35

13.60

-3.25

VABS vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VABS Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VABS and VFIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VABS vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VABS drawdown since its inception was -7.12%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VABS and VFIAX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VABSVFIAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-7.12%

-55.20%

+48.08%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-0.98%

-8.90%

+7.92%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.42%

-18.75%

+17.33%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-7.12%

-24.53%

+17.41%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-33.83%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.15%

-1.72%

+1.57%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-1.40%

-9.38%

+7.98%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.38%

1.97%

-1.59%

Volatility

VABS vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS) is 0.37%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a volatility of 4.67%. This indicates that VABS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VABSVFIAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.37%

4.67%

-4.30%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.06%

9.84%

-8.78%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.01%

12.50%

-10.49%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.30%

16.99%

-14.69%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

2.24%

18.11%

-15.87%

VABS vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VABS has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

VABS vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

VABS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.07%, more than VFIAX's 1.03% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VABS
Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF		5.07%4.94%5.05%4.13%2.47%1.47%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VFIAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares		1.03%1.12%1.24%1.45%1.68%1.24%1.53%1.87%2.05%1.78%2.02%2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

VABS and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VFIAX has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to VABS (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VABS dropped -7.12% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.97), 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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