VBF vs. VAFAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBF (Invesco Bond Fund) and VAFAX (Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - VBF is a Corporate Bonds fund actively managed by Invesco, while VAFAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Invesco. Over the past 10 years, VBF returned 2.94%/yr vs 15.93%/yr for VAFAX. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VBF charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for VAFAX.

Performance

VBF vs. VAFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Bond Fund (VBF) and Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A (VAFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBF achieves a -0.95% return, which is significantly lower than VAFAX's 9.63% return. Over the past 10 years, VBF has underperformed VAFAX with an annualized return of 2.94%, while VAFAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.93% annualized return.

VBF

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -0.35%
• YTD: -0.95%
• 6M: -1.57%
• 1Y: 2.21%
• 3Y*: 5.57%
• 5Y*: -0.88%
• 10Y*: 2.94%

VAFAX

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: 6.40%
• YTD: 9.63%
• 6M: 8.77%
• 1Y: 23.01%
• 3Y*: 23.28%
• 5Y*: 10.93%
• 10Y*: 15.93%

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

VBF vs. VAFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBF Invesco Bond Fund	-0.95%	5.46%	6.97%	2.27%	-17.77%	-5.37%	12.80%	30.91%	-11.16%	13.35%
VAFAX Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A	9.63%	11.86%	34.78%	40.91%	-31.20%	11.13%	42.15%	36.55%	-3.99%	27.11%

Correlation

The correlation between VBF and VAFAX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2005	0.13

Return for Risk

VBF vs. VAFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBF

VBF Risk / Return Rank: 5
VBF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
VBF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
VBF Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VBF Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
VBF Martin Ratio Rank: 6

VAFAX

VAFAX Risk / Return Rank: 16
VAFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
VAFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VAFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VAFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VAFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

VBF vs. VAFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Bond Fund (VBF) and Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A (VAFAX). 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.

	VBF	VAFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.37	1.25	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.60	1.74	-1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.22	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.55	1.25	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.52	3.78	-2.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBF vs. VAFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBF Sharpe Ratio is 0.37, which is lower than the VAFAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBF and VAFAX, 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

	VBF	VAFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37	1.25	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.07	0.48	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	0.72	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.58	-0.24

Drawdowns

VBF vs. VAFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBF drawdown since its inception was -32.23%, smaller than the maximum VAFAX drawdown of -48.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBF and VAFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBF	VAFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.23%	-48.48%	+16.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.03%	-19.27%	+15.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.52%	-27.24%	+15.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.23%	-38.86%	+6.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.23%	-38.86%	+6.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.75%	0.00%	-11.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.25%	-8.13%	+0.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.46%	6.35%	-4.89%

Volatility

VBF vs. VAFAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Bond Fund (VBF) is 1.74%, while Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A (VAFAX) has a volatility of 4.96%. This indicates that VBF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VAFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBF	VAFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.74%	4.96%	-3.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.54%	14.64%	-10.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.05%	19.21%	-13.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.38%	23.05%	-10.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.73%	22.31%	-9.58%

VBF vs. VAFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBF has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is lower than VAFAX's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBF vs. VAFAX - Dividend Comparison

VBF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.54%, less than VAFAX's 12.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VAFAX Invesco American Franchise Fund Class A	12.85%	14.09%	3.74%	0.00%	8.32%	26.50%	8.78%	6.85%	10.42%	5.37%	4.08%	4.90%
VBF Invesco Bond Fund	5.54%	5.46%	5.51%	5.31%	4.60%	3.36%	6.89%	5.04%	5.40%	5.07%	4.56%	5.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBF and VAFAX in my portfolio?

VBF and VAFAX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBF or VAFAX?

VAFAX has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to VBF (1.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBF dropped -32.23% vs VAFAX's -48.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VAFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.37), 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.