VBILX vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VBILX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - VBILX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBILX returned 1.85%/yr vs 9.00%/yr for VWO. At a correlation of -0.15, they often move in opposite directions. VBILX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

VBILX vs. VWO - 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 FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBILX achieves a -0.14% return, which is significantly lower than VWO's 10.77% return. Over the past 10 years, VBILX has underperformed VWO with an annualized return of 1.85%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively higher 9.00% annualized return.

VBILX

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: -0.14%
• 6M: 0.40%
• 1Y: 4.66%
• 3Y*: 4.44%
• 5Y*: 0.07%
• 10Y*: 1.85%

VWO

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -0.68%
• YTD: 10.77%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 26.52%
• 3Y*: 16.61%
• 5Y*: 5.03%
• 10Y*: 9.00%

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

VBILX vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.14%	8.57%	1.54%	6.09%	-13.59%	-2.36%	9.82%	10.20%	-0.15%	3.86%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	10.77%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between VBILX and VWO is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005	-0.15

The correlation between VBILX and VWO shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VBILX vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBILX

VBILX Risk / Return Rank: 24
VBILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
VBILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
VBILX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
VBILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
VBILX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 50
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. VWO - 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 FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	1.49	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	2.10	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.28	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	2.21	-0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.93	7.80	-3.87

VBILX vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBILX Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is comparable to the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBILX and VWO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VBILX vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBILX drawdown since its inception was -19.26%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBILX and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBILX	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.26%	-67.68%	+48.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.43%	-11.17%	+7.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.05%	-17.37%	+11.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.15%	-32.60%	+13.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.26%	-36.39%	+17.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.93%	-2.68%	+0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.16%	-15.80%	+12.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.19%	3.17%	-1.98%

Volatility

VBILX vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX) is 1.49%, while Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a volatility of 6.64%. This indicates that VBILX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBILX	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.49%	6.64%	-5.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.07%	14.04%	-10.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.12%	16.54%	-12.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.39%	17.48%	-11.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.37%	19.22%	-13.85%

VBILX vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBILX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than VWO's 0.08% 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. VWO - Dividend Comparison

VBILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.22%, more than VWO's 2.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.22%	4.01%	3.80%	3.09%	1.99%	3.39%	2.94%	2.73%	2.87%	2.73%	3.06%	3.09%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.44%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBILX and VWO in my portfolio?

VBILX and VWO have a correlation of 0.26, 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 VWO?

VWO has higher volatility (6.64%) compared to VBILX (1.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBILX dropped -19.26% vs VWO's -67.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs 1.14), 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.