VBILX vs. VCMDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBILX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VCMDX (Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VBILX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VCMDX is a Commodities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VBILX returned 0.30%/yr vs 12.17%/yr for VCMDX. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VBILX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VCMDX.

Performance

VBILX vs. VCMDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX) and Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares (VCMDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBILX achieves a -0.05% return, which is significantly lower than VCMDX's 22.84% 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%

VCMDX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: -2.11%
• YTD: 22.84%
• 6M: 22.83%
• 1Y: 35.30%
• 3Y*: 15.74%
• 5Y*: 12.17%
• 10Y*: —

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

VBILX vs. VCMDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.05%	8.57%	1.54%	6.09%	-13.59%	-2.36%	9.82%	2.82%
VCMDX Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares	22.84%	18.20%	5.27%	-7.45%	13.83%	34.82%	5.07%	2.74%

Correlation

The correlation between VBILX and VCMDX is -0.18, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2019	0.02

The correlation between VBILX and VCMDX shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to 0.04 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VBILX vs. VCMDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBILX

VBILX Risk / Return Rank: 18
VBILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VBILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VBILX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
VBILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
VBILX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

VCMDX

VCMDX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VCMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VCMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VCMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VCMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VCMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

VBILX vs. VCMDX - 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 Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares (VCMDX). 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	VCMDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	2.41	-1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.85	3.06	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.43	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	4.92	-3.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.50	15.03	-10.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBILX vs. VCMDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBILX Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is lower than the VCMDX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBILX and VCMDX, 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

	VBILX	VCMDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23	2.41	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	0.77	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.85	-0.18

Drawdowns

VBILX vs. VCMDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBILX drawdown since its inception was -19.26%, smaller than the maximum VCMDX drawdown of -26.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBILX and VCMDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBILX	VCMDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.26%	-26.67%	+7.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.43%	-7.25%	+3.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.05%	-9.90%	+3.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.15%	-25.45%	+6.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.84%	-3.45%	+1.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.16%	-10.86%	+7.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.13%	2.37%	-1.24%

Volatility

VBILX vs. VCMDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX) is 1.44%, while Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares (VCMDX) has a volatility of 5.03%. This indicates that VBILX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCMDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBILX	VCMDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.44%	5.03%	-3.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.00%	12.68%	-9.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.16%	14.90%	-10.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.39%	15.86%	-9.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.36%	15.39%	-10.03%

VBILX vs. VCMDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBILX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VCMDX's 0.20% 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

VBILX vs. VCMDX - Dividend Comparison

VBILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, less than VCMDX's 12.38% 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%
VCMDX Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund Admiral Shares	12.38%	15.21%	2.19%	2.50%	14.21%	30.56%	0.50%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBILX and VCMDX in my portfolio?

VBILX and VCMDX have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBILX or VCMDX?

VCMDX has higher volatility (5.03%) compared to VBILX (1.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBILX dropped -19.26% vs VCMDX's -26.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCMDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 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.