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VASGX vs. VBIAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VASGX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VASGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VASGX returned 10.79%/yr vs 9.83%/yr for VBIAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VASGX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIAX.

Performance

VASGX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VASGX achieves a 10.86% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's 7.35% return. Over the past 10 years, VASGX has outperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 10.79%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.83% annualized return.

VASGX

1D
0.32%
1M
4.71%
YTD
10.86%
6M
11.65%
1Y
25.43%
3Y*
17.90%
5Y*
9.17%
10Y*
10.79%

VBIAX

1D
0.15%
1M
3.71%
YTD
7.35%
6M
7.26%
1Y
19.35%
3Y*
15.04%
5Y*
8.01%
10Y*
9.83%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VASGX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VASGX
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund		10.86%19.65%12.95%18.76%-17.21%14.35%15.45%23.14%-6.89%19.21%
VBIAX
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares		7.35%13.61%14.58%17.54%-16.90%14.21%16.40%21.78%-2.86%13.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VASGX and VBIAX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

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

0.96

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

0.95

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

0.96

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.96

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000

0.92

The correlation between VASGX and VBIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

VASGX vs. VBIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VASGX
VBIAX

Technology

27.4%
33.5%

Financial Services

16.1%
12.0%

Industrials

12.3%
9.8%

Consumer Cyclical

9.4%
10.0%

Healthcare

8.3%
9.2%

Communication Services

8.0%
10.3%

Consumer Defensive

4.8%
4.7%

Energy

4.3%
3.7%

Basic Materials

4.3%
2.0%

Utilities

2.7%
2.3%

Real Estate

2.5%
2.4%

Technology

VASGX
27.4%
VBIAX
33.5%

Financial Services

VASGX
16.1%
VBIAX
12.0%

Industrials

VASGX
12.3%
VBIAX
9.8%

Consumer Cyclical

VASGX
9.4%
VBIAX
10.0%

Healthcare

VASGX
8.3%
VBIAX
9.2%

Communication Services

VASGX
8.0%
VBIAX
10.3%

Consumer Defensive

VASGX
4.8%
VBIAX
4.7%

Energy

VASGX
4.3%
VBIAX
3.7%

Basic Materials

VASGX
4.3%
VBIAX
2.0%

Utilities

VASGX
2.7%
VBIAX
2.3%

Real Estate

VASGX
2.5%
VBIAX
2.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund

Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with VASGX:
VASGX vs. AOAVASGX vs. VOOVASGX vs. VTSAXVASGX vs. SPYVASGX vs. FASGXVASGX vs. VTWAXVASGX vs. VFORX
Often compared with VBIAX:
VBIAX vs. VWELXVBIAX vs. FBALXVBIAX vs. VFIAXVBIAX vs. VSMGXVBIAX vs. VWIAXVBIAX vs. VOOVBIAX vs. VBAIX

Return for Risk

VASGX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VASGX
VASGX Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VASGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7474
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VASGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
VASGX Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
VASGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
VASGX Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
VBIAX
VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 7676
Overall Rank
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7474
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
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.

VASGX vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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.

VASGXVBIAXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.49
2.52

-0.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.48
3.59

-0.12

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.46

1.47

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.15

3.42

-0.27

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.93

15.60

-1.67

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VASGX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VASGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VASGX and VBIAX, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VASGXVBIAXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.49

2.52

-0.03

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.72

0.73

-0.01

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.80

0.88

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.58

0.64

-0.06

Drawdowns

VASGX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VASGX drawdown since its inception was -51.16%, which is greater than VBIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VASGX and VBIAX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VASGXVBIAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-51.16%

-35.90%

-15.26%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.17%

-5.83%

-2.34%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.89%

-11.70%

-1.19%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.43%

-21.53%

-2.90%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.53%

-22.78%

-5.75%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.25%

-4.44%

-2.81%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.85%

1.27%

+0.58%

Volatility

VASGX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) has a higher volatility of 3.14% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) at 2.26%. This indicates that VASGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VASGXVBIAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.14%

2.26%

+0.88%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.27%

6.11%

+2.16%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.34%

7.90%

+2.44%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

12.77%

11.05%

+1.72%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

13.48%

11.21%

+2.27%

VASGX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VASGX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIAX's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VASGX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VASGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.69%, less than VBIAX's 5.21% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VASGX
Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund		3.69%4.09%6.15%3.00%2.10%3.54%3.54%2.34%4.36%2.13%2.23%4.54%
VBIAX
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares		5.21%6.00%5.27%4.35%2.83%3.19%2.65%2.28%2.32%1.95%2.09%2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.96, VASGX and VBIAX 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.

VASGX has higher volatility (3.14%) compared to VBIAX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VASGX dropped -51.16% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

VBIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.49), 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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