VBIAX vs. VSMGX

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VSMGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund) are both mutual funds - VBIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the 60% CRSP US Total Market Index / 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, while VSMGX is a Allocation--50% to 70% Equity fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VBIAX returned 9.78%/yr vs 8.83%/yr for VSMGX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBIAX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VSMGX.

Performance

VBIAX vs. VSMGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund (VSMGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBIAX achieves a 7.16% return, which is significantly lower than VSMGX's 7.89% return. Over the past 10 years, VBIAX has outperformed VSMGX with an annualized return of 9.78%, while VSMGX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.83% annualized return.

VBIAX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 1.67%
• YTD: 7.16%
• 6M: 7.00%
• 1Y: 18.76%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 7.82%
• 10Y*: 9.78%

VSMGX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 7.89%
• 6M: 8.35%
• 1Y: 19.05%
• 3Y*: 16.00%
• 5Y*: 7.71%
• 10Y*: 8.83%

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

VBIAX vs. VSMGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.16%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	13.89%
VSMGX Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund	7.89%	16.26%	15.03%	15.70%	-16.01%	10.08%	13.59%	19.37%	-4.91%	13.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VBIAX and VSMGX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
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	0.93

The correlation between VBIAX and VSMGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VBIAX vs. VSMGX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VBIAX	VSMGX
Technology	33.5%	27.3%
Financial Services	12.0%	16.1%
Communication Services	10.3%	8.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	9.4%
Industrials	9.8%	12.4%
Healthcare	9.2%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.8%
Energy	3.7%	4.3%
Real Estate	2.4%	2.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.7%
Basic Materials	2.0%	4.3%

Return for Risk

VBIAX vs. VSMGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VSMGX

VSMGX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VSMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VSMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VSMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VSMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VSMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. VSMGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund (VSMGX). 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	VSMGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	2.35	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	3.35	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.44	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	2.90	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.83	12.71	+2.12
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. VSMGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the VSMGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBIAX and VSMGX, 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	VSMGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	2.35	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.76	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.85	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.70	-0.06

Drawdowns

VBIAX vs. VSMGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBIAX drawdown since its inception was -35.90%, smaller than the maximum VSMGX drawdown of -41.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBIAX and VSMGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBIAX	VSMGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.90%	-41.13%	+5.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.83%	-6.64%	+0.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.70%	-9.62%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.53%	-22.29%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.78%	-22.43%	-0.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-0.32%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.44%	-4.84%	+0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.28%	1.51%	-0.23%

Volatility

VBIAX vs. VSMGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) is 2.27%, while Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund (VSMGX) has a volatility of 2.66%. This indicates that VBIAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSMGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBIAX	VSMGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.27%	2.66%	-0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.12%	6.66%	-0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.92%	8.21%	-0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.05%	10.18%	+0.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.21%	10.36%	+0.85%

VBIAX vs. VSMGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBIAX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VSMGX's 0.10% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VBIAX vs. VSMGX - Dividend Comparison

VBIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.22%, more than VSMGX's 4.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.22%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%
VSMGX Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund	4.86%	5.25%	11.49%	4.01%	2.66%	3.86%	3.46%	2.52%	4.11%	1.09%	2.26%	3.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBIAX and VSMGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, VBIAX and VSMGX 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 VSMGX?

VSMGX has higher volatility (2.66%) compared to VBIAX (2.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBIAX dropped -35.90% vs VSMGX's -41.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.35), 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.