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VAF.AX vs. BNDS.AX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VAF.AX vs. BNDS.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

VAF.AX (Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF) and BNDS.AX (BetaShares Western Asset Australian Bond Active ETF) are both Total Bond Market funds. VAF.AX is passively managed, while BNDS.AX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VAF.AX returned -0.70%/yr vs -0.31%/yr for BNDS.AX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

VAF.AX vs. BNDS.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (VAF.AX) and BetaShares Western Asset Australian Bond Active ETF (BNDS.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VAF.AX achieves a 0.68% return, which is significantly lower than BNDS.AX's 1.05% return.

VAF.AX

1D
0.07%
1M
0.00%
6M
1.33%
YTD
0.68%
1Y
0.69%
3Y*
2.84%
5Y*
-0.70%
10Y*
1.05%

BNDS.AX

1D
0.22%
1M
0.24%
6M
0.79%
YTD
1.05%
1Y
0.62%
3Y*
3.36%
5Y*
-0.31%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VAF.AX vs. BNDS.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
VAF.AX
Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF		0.68%3.33%1.52%4.67%-10.66%-3.03%4.31%6.98%2.33%
BNDS.AX
BetaShares Western Asset Australian Bond Active ETF		1.05%2.52%3.08%5.73%-10.96%-2.83%4.81%7.50%2.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VAF.AX and BNDS.AX is 0.85, 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

0.85

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

0.89

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

0.89

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2018

0.84

The correlation between VAF.AX and BNDS.AX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

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Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF

BetaShares Western Asset Australian Bond Active ETF

Return for Risk

VAF.AX vs. BNDS.AX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VAF.AX
VAF.AX Risk / Return Rank: 1111
Overall Rank
VAF.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1313
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VAF.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1111
Sortino Ratio Rank
VAF.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 1111
Omega Ratio Rank
VAF.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1111
Calmar Ratio Rank
VAF.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 1111
Martin Ratio Rank
BNDS.AX
BNDS.AX Risk / Return Rank: 1111
Overall Rank
BNDS.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1212
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BNDS.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1111
Sortino Ratio Rank
BNDS.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 1010
Omega Ratio Rank
BNDS.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1111
Calmar Ratio Rank
BNDS.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 1111
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.

VAF.AX vs. BNDS.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (VAF.AX) and BetaShares Western Asset Australian Bond Active ETF (BNDS.AX). 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.

VAF.AXBNDS.AXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.21
0.18

+0.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.32
0.30

+0.03

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.04

1.03

+0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.17

0.14

+0.04

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

0.34

0.27

+0.07

VAF.AX vs. BNDS.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAF.AX Sharpe Ratio is 0.21, which is comparable to the BNDS.AX Sharpe Ratio of 0.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAF.AX and BNDS.AX, 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

VAF.AX vs. BNDS.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAF.AX drawdown since its inception was -16.26%, roughly equal to the maximum BNDS.AX drawdown of -16.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAF.AX and BNDS.AX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VAF.AXBNDS.AXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-16.26%

-16.27%

+0.01%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-4.47%

-5.05%

+0.58%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-4.47%

-5.05%

+0.58%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.63%

-16.11%

+0.48%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-16.26%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.19%

-2.92%

-2.27%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.17%

-5.37%

+1.20%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.31%

2.59%

-0.28%

Volatility

VAF.AX vs. BNDS.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (VAF.AX) is 0.61%, while BetaShares Western Asset Australian Bond Active ETF (BNDS.AX) has a volatility of 0.78%. This indicates that VAF.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BNDS.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VAF.AXBNDS.AXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.61%

0.78%

-0.17%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.82%

3.05%

-0.23%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.66%

3.73%

-0.07%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

4.90%

5.36%

-0.46%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

4.29%

5.23%

-0.94%

Dividends

VAF.AX vs. BNDS.AX - Dividend Comparison

VAF.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, less than BNDS.AX's 2.98% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BNDS.AX
BetaShares Western Asset Australian Bond Active ETF		2.98%3.39%3.31%2.63%1.47%1.25%2.46%2.31%0.14%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VAF.AX
Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF		2.30%3.08%1.29%0.96%0.41%2.41%3.24%2.49%1.95%2.01%3.69%2.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

VAF.AX and BNDS.AX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BetaShares.

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