VBIIX vs. SCHQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBIIX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund) and SCHQ (Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) are both funds - VBIIX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Vanguard, while SCHQ is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. Over the past 5 years, VBIIX returned 0.16%/yr vs -5.29%/yr for SCHQ. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBIIX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHQ.

Performance

VBIIX vs. SCHQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund (VBIIX) and Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBIIX achieves a -0.09% return, which is significantly higher than SCHQ's -0.43% return.

VBIIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: -0.09%
• 6M: -0.31%
• 1Y: 4.97%
• 3Y*: 4.06%
• 5Y*: 0.16%
• 10Y*: 1.77%

SCHQ

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: -0.43%
• 6M: -1.74%
• 1Y: 5.22%
• 3Y*: -0.72%
• 5Y*: -5.29%
• 10Y*: —

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

VBIIX vs. SCHQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VBIIX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund	-0.09%	8.12%	1.44%	5.67%	-13.34%	-2.73%	9.72%	-0.28%
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	-0.43%	5.50%	-6.44%	3.43%	-29.44%	-4.86%	17.73%	-4.02%

Correlation

The correlation between VBIIX and SCHQ is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2019	0.85

The correlation between VBIIX and SCHQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VBIIX vs. SCHQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBIIX

VBIIX Risk / Return Rank: 17
VBIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VBIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VBIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VBIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
VBIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

SCHQ

SCHQ Risk / Return Rank: 17
SCHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
SCHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
SCHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 16
SCHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
SCHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

VBIIX vs. SCHQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund (VBIIX) and Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ). 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.

	VBIIX	SCHQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	0.59	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	0.91	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.10	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	0.75	+0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	1.94	+2.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBIIX vs. SCHQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBIIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is higher than the SCHQ Sharpe Ratio of 0.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBIIX and SCHQ, 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

	VBIIX	SCHQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.19	0.59	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	-0.37	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.83	-0.25	+1.08

Drawdowns

VBIIX vs. SCHQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBIIX drawdown since its inception was -19.32%, smaller than the maximum SCHQ drawdown of -46.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBIIX and SCHQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBIIX	SCHQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.32%	-46.13%	+26.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.44%	-7.01%	+3.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.07%	-17.65%	+11.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.93%	-40.93%	+22.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.39%	-36.82%	+34.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.98%	-26.36%	+23.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.14%	2.70%	-1.56%

Volatility

VBIIX vs. SCHQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund (VBIIX) is 1.44%, while Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHQ) has a volatility of 2.57%. This indicates that VBIIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBIIX	SCHQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.44%	2.57%	-1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.01%	5.94%	-2.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.19%	8.93%	-4.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.38%	14.54%	-8.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.36%	15.33%	-9.97%

VBIIX vs. SCHQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBIIX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHQ's 0.03% 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

VBIIX vs. SCHQ - Dividend Comparison

VBIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.12%, less than SCHQ's 4.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHQ Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	4.79%	4.54%	4.58%	3.79%	2.88%	1.69%	1.51%	0.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBIIX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund	4.12%	3.61%	3.71%	2.72%	2.30%	2.99%	2.85%	2.66%	2.78%	2.66%	2.98%	3.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBIIX and SCHQ in my portfolio?

VBIIX and SCHQ have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBIIX or SCHQ?

SCHQ has higher volatility (2.57%) compared to VBIIX (1.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBIIX dropped -19.32% vs SCHQ's -46.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs 0.59), 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.