VBILX vs. VBTLX
VBILX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VBILX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBILX returned 1.62%/yr vs 1.30%/yr for VBTLX. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VBILX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBTLX.
Performance
VBILX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBILX achieves a -1.04% return, which is significantly lower than VBTLX's -0.70% return. Over the past 10 years, VBILX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 1.62%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.30% annualized return.
VBILX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -1.06%
- 6M
- -1.02%
- YTD
- -1.04%
- 1Y
- 1.34%
- 3Y*
- 4.18%
- 5Y*
- -0.39%
- 10Y*
- 1.62%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.91%
VBTLX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -1.25%
- 6M
- -0.93%
- YTD
- -0.70%
- 1Y
- 1.67%
- 3Y*
- 3.69%
- 5Y*
- -0.45%
- 10Y*
- 1.30%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.34%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VBILX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | -1.04% | 8.57% | 1.54% | 6.09% | -13.59% | -2.36% | 9.82% | 10.20% | -0.15% | 3.86% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | -0.70% | 7.17% | 1.26% | 5.74% | -13.16% | -1.81% | 7.72% | 8.73% | -0.25% | 3.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBILX and VBTLX is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001 | 0.95 |
The correlation between VBILX and VBTLX 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. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank
VBILX
VBTLX
VBILX vs. VBTLX - 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 Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VBILX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.13 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.78 | 0.99 | -0.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.88 | 2.48 | -0.60 |
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Drawdowns
VBILX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBILX drawdown since its inception was -19.26%, roughly equal to the maximum VBTLX drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBILX and VBTLX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBILX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.26% | -18.81% | -0.45% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.43% | -2.89% | -0.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.20% | -4.86% | -0.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.15% | -18.14% | -1.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.26% | -18.81% | -0.45% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.82% | -3.27% | +0.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.15% | -2.67% | -0.48% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.43% | 1.15% | +0.28% |
Volatility
VBILX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX) has a higher volatility of 1.03% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) at 0.96%. This indicates that VBILX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBILX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.03% | 0.96% | +0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.24% | 2.97% | +0.27% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.08% | 3.82% | +0.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.39% | 6.01% | +0.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.36% | 4.98% | +0.38% |
VBILX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBILX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX'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. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison
VBILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.94%, more than VBTLX's 3.72% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.94% | 4.01% | 3.80% | 3.09% | 1.99% | 3.39% | 2.94% | 2.73% | 2.87% | 2.73% | 3.06% | 3.09% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.72% | 3.87% | 3.69% | 3.10% | 2.59% | 1.96% | 2.39% | 2.74% | 2.57% | 2.56% | 2.53% | 2.82% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, VBILX and VBTLX 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 (1.03%) compared to VBTLX (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBILX dropped -19.26% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.
VBTLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.75 vs 0.66), 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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