VBAIX vs. VBTLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VBAIX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VBAIX returned 10.15%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBTLX. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. VBAIX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBTLX.

Performance

VBAIX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBAIX achieves a 7.40% return, which is significantly higher than VBTLX's 0.42% return. Over the past 10 years, VBAIX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 10.15%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.

VBAIX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 3.72%
• YTD: 7.40%
• 6M: 7.29%
• 1Y: 19.41%
• 3Y*: 16.11%
• 5Y*: 8.62%
• 10Y*: 10.15%

VBTLX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.35%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 4.05%
• 5Y*: 0.21%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

VBAIX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.40%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-2.83%	13.86%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.42%	7.17%	1.26%	5.74%	-13.16%	-1.81%	7.72%	8.73%	-0.25%	3.56%

Correlation

The correlation between VBAIX and VBTLX is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	-0.04

The correlation between VBAIX and VBTLX shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (all time) to 0.40 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VBAIX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VBTLX

VBTLX Risk / Return Rank: 23
VBTLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VBTLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VBTLX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
VBTLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VBTLX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

VBAIX vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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.

	VBAIX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	1.36	+1.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.60	2.04	+1.56
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.24	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.42	1.86	+1.56
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.63	5.58	+10.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBAIX vs. VBTLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBAIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the VBTLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBAIX and VBTLX, 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

	VBAIX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	1.36	+1.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.04	+0.75
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91	0.32	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.76	-0.10

Drawdowns

VBAIX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBAIX drawdown since its inception was -35.82%, which is greater than VBTLX's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBAIX and VBTLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBAIX	VBTLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.82%	-18.81%	-17.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.84%	-2.89%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.57%	-6.00%	-5.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.52%	-18.14%	-3.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.77%	-18.81%	-3.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.18%	+2.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.42%	-2.67%	-1.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	0.96%	+0.31%

Volatility

VBAIX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) has a higher volatility of 2.26% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) at 1.38%. This indicates that VBAIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBAIX	VBTLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.26%	1.38%	+0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.11%	2.80%	+3.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.90%	3.97%	+3.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.10%	6.01%	+5.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.23%	4.98%	+6.25%

VBAIX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBAIX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.05% 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

VBAIX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison

VBAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.22%, more than VBTLX's 3.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.22%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.98%	3.87%	3.69%	3.10%	2.59%	1.96%	2.39%	2.74%	2.57%	2.56%	2.53%	2.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBAIX and VBTLX in my portfolio?

VBAIX and VBTLX have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBAIX or VBTLX?

VBAIX has higher volatility (2.26%) compared to VBTLX (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBAIX dropped -35.82% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.36), 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.