VBILX vs. VBTIX
VBILX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBTIX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Total Bond Market funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VBILX returned 1.91%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBTIX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VBILX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBTIX.
Performance
VBILX vs. VBTIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBILX achieves a -0.05% return, which is significantly lower than VBTIX's 0.43% return. Over the past 10 years, VBILX has outperformed VBTIX with an annualized return of 1.91%, while VBTIX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.
VBILX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.37%
- YTD
- -0.05%
- 6M
- -0.26%
- 1Y
- 5.07%
- 3Y*
- 4.38%
- 5Y*
- 0.30%
- 10Y*
- 1.91%
VBTIX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 0.43%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- 1Y
- 5.36%
- 3Y*
- 4.06%
- 5Y*
- 0.22%
- 10Y*
- 1.58%
VBILX vs. VBTIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | -0.05% | 8.57% | 1.54% | 6.09% | -13.59% | -2.36% | 9.82% | 10.20% | -0.15% | 3.86% |
VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares | 0.43% | 7.18% | 1.27% | 5.75% | -13.15% | -1.95% | 7.75% | 8.74% | -0.24% | 3.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBILX and VBTIX is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001 | 0.95 |
The correlation between VBILX and VBTIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VBILX vs. VBTIX — Risk / Return Rank
VBILX
VBTIX
VBILX vs. VBTIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX). 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.
| VBILX | VBTIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.24 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.49 | 1.86 | -0.38 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.50 | 5.60 | -1.10 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VBILX | VBTIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.23 | 1.36 | -0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.05 | 0.04 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 | 0.32 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.67 | 0.95 | -0.27 |
Drawdowns
VBILX vs. VBTIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBILX drawdown since its inception was -19.26%, roughly equal to the maximum VBTIX drawdown of -18.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBILX and VBTIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBILX | VBTIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.26% | -18.90% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.43% | -2.89% | -0.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.05% | -5.99% | -0.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.15% | -18.13% | -1.02% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.26% | -18.90% | -0.36% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.84% | -2.25% | +0.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.16% | -2.32% | -0.84% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.13% | 0.96% | +0.17% |
Volatility
VBILX vs. VBTIX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX) have volatilities of 1.44% and 1.38%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBILX | VBTIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.44% | 1.38% | +0.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.00% | 2.80% | +0.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.16% | 3.97% | +0.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.39% | 6.02% | +0.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.36% | 4.98% | +0.38% |
VBILX vs. VBTIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBILX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTIX's 0.04% 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
VBILX vs. VBTIX - Dividend Comparison
VBILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, more than VBTIX's 3.99% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 4.21% | 4.01% | 3.80% | 3.09% | 1.99% | 3.39% | 2.94% | 2.73% | 2.87% | 2.73% | 3.06% | 3.09% |
VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares | 3.99% | 3.88% | 3.69% | 3.12% | 2.61% | 1.81% | 2.41% | 2.75% | 2.58% | 2.56% | 2.54% | 2.84% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, VBILX and VBTIX 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.
VBILX has higher volatility (1.44%) compared to VBTIX (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBILX dropped -19.26% vs VBTIX's -18.90%.
VBTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.23), 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.
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