VADGX vs. BNDX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VADGX (Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund) and BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) are both funds - VADGX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while BNDX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged). Over the past 3 years, VADGX returned 9.18%/yr vs 4.01%/yr for BNDX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VADGX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for BNDX.

Performance

VADGX vs. BNDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) and Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VADGX achieves a -0.32% return, which is significantly lower than BNDX's 0.37% return.

VADGX

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: -0.32%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 4.76%
• 3Y*: 9.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BNDX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 0.37%
• 6M: 0.55%
• 1Y: 1.86%
• 3Y*: 4.01%
• 5Y*: 0.25%
• 10Y*: 1.65%

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

VADGX vs. BNDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	-0.32%	8.52%	10.69%	10.42%	-3.88%	3.62%
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF	0.37%	2.86%	3.57%	8.77%	-12.76%	-0.87%

Correlation

The correlation between VADGX and BNDX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2021	0.22

Over the past year, VADGX and BNDX have become more correlated (0.44) than their long-term average of 0.22, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VADGX vs. BNDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VADGX

VADGX Risk / Return Rank: 7
VADGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
VADGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
VADGX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
VADGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
VADGX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

BNDX

BNDX Risk / Return Rank: 18
BNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
BNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
BNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
BNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
BNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

VADGX vs. BNDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) and Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX). 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.

	VADGX	BNDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	0.54	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.82	0.79	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.10	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.48	0.64	-0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.73	1.79	-0.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VADGX vs. BNDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VADGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is comparable to the BNDX Sharpe Ratio of 0.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VADGX and BNDX, 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

	VADGX	BNDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52	0.54	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.05	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.60	-0.14

Drawdowns

VADGX vs. BNDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VADGX drawdown since its inception was -15.75%, roughly equal to the maximum BNDX drawdown of -16.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VADGX and BNDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VADGX	BNDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.75%	-16.23%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.07%	-2.93%	-8.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.73%	-2.93%	-11.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.86%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-16.23%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.47%	-1.65%	-0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.47%	-3.08%	-0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	1.04%	+2.02%

Volatility

VADGX vs. BNDX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) has a higher volatility of 2.44% compared to Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) at 1.47%. This indicates that VADGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BNDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VADGX	BNDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.44%	1.47%	+0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.82%	2.91%	+4.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.23%	3.43%	+6.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.62%	4.88%	+8.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.62%	4.09%	+9.53%

VADGX vs. BNDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VADGX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than BNDX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

VADGX vs. BNDX - Dividend Comparison

VADGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than BNDX's 4.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF	4.50%	4.39%	4.18%	4.42%	1.51%	3.74%	1.11%	3.40%	3.01%	2.23%	1.89%	1.63%
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	1.04%	1.04%	1.98%	1.25%	0.84%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VADGX and BNDX in my portfolio?

VADGX and BNDX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VADGX or BNDX?

VADGX has higher volatility (2.44%) compared to BNDX (1.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VADGX dropped -15.75% vs BNDX's -16.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BNDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.54 vs 0.52), 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.