VBIAX vs. TRAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) and TRAIX (T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund - I Class) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. VBIAX is passively managed, while TRAIX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBIAX returned 9.83%/yr vs 11.38%/yr for TRAIX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBIAX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for TRAIX.

Performance

VBIAX vs. TRAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) and T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund - I Class (TRAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBIAX achieves a 7.35% return, which is significantly higher than TRAIX's 5.82% return. Over the past 10 years, VBIAX has underperformed TRAIX with an annualized return of 9.83%, while TRAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.38% annualized return.

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%

TRAIX

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 2.52%
• YTD: 5.82%
• 6M: 5.90%
• 1Y: 15.00%
• 3Y*: 13.63%
• 5Y*: 9.00%
• 10Y*: 11.38%

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

VBIAX vs. TRAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
TRAIX T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund - I Class	5.82%	12.57%	12.64%	19.01%	-11.89%	18.59%	18.28%	24.71%	0.76%	15.45%

Correlation

The correlation between VBIAX and TRAIX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.93

The correlation between VBIAX and TRAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VBIAX vs. TRAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

TRAIX

TRAIX Risk / Return Rank: 49
TRAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
TRAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
TRAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
TRAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
TRAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

VBIAX vs. TRAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) and T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund - I Class (TRAIX). 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.

	VBIAX	TRAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	2.09	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.59	3.01	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.39	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.42	2.46	+0.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.60	10.73	+4.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBIAX vs. TRAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the TRAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBIAX and TRAIX, 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

	VBIAX	TRAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	2.09	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.71	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.90	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.92	-0.28

Drawdowns

VBIAX vs. TRAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBIAX drawdown since its inception was -35.90%, which is greater than TRAIX's maximum drawdown of -26.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBIAX and TRAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBIAX	TRAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.90%	-26.84%	-9.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.83%	-6.30%	+0.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.70%	-16.02%	+4.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.53%	-17.00%	-4.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.78%	-26.84%	+4.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.45%	+0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.44%	-2.83%	-1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	1.44%	-0.17%

Volatility

VBIAX vs. TRAIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) has a higher volatility of 2.26% compared to T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund - I Class (TRAIX) at 1.92%. This indicates that VBIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TRAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBIAX	TRAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.26%	1.92%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.11%	5.82%	+0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.90%	7.41%	+0.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.05%	12.76%	-1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.21%	12.75%	-1.54%

VBIAX vs. TRAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBIAX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than TRAIX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBIAX vs. TRAIX - Dividend Comparison

VBIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.21%, less than TRAIX's 8.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TRAIX T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund - I Class	8.47%	8.96%	10.52%	4.28%	9.70%	9.35%	8.08%	5.92%	7.57%	6.96%	3.59%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both VBIAX and TRAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VBIAX and TRAIX 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.

Which is riskier, VBIAX or TRAIX?

VBIAX has higher volatility (2.26%) compared to TRAIX (1.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBIAX dropped -35.90% vs TRAIX's -26.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.09), 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.