VBIMX vs. VTBNX
VBIMX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VTBNX (Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund) are both Total Bond Market funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VBIMX returned 1.89%/yr vs 1.53%/yr for VTBNX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VBIMX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VTBNX.
Performance
VBIMX vs. VTBNX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBIMX achieves a -0.33% return, which is significantly lower than VTBNX's 0.12% return. Over the past 10 years, VBIMX has outperformed VTBNX with an annualized return of 1.89%, while VTBNX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.53% annualized return.
VBIMX
- 1D
- -0.29%
- 1M
- -0.11%
- YTD
- -0.33%
- 6M
- -0.26%
- 1Y
- 4.18%
- 3Y*
- 4.19%
- 5Y*
- 0.18%
- 10Y*
- 1.89%
VTBNX
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- 0.14%
- YTD
- 0.12%
- 6M
- 0.25%
- 1Y
- 4.44%
- 3Y*
- 3.94%
- 5Y*
- 0.09%
- 10Y*
- 1.53%
VBIMX vs. VTBNX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBIMX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares | -0.33% | 8.59% | 1.55% | 5.78% | -13.25% | -2.50% | 9.83% | 10.22% | -0.13% | 3.89% |
VTBNX Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund | 0.12% | 7.18% | 1.32% | 5.68% | -13.12% | -1.82% | 7.39% | 8.71% | -0.27% | 3.62% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBIMX and VTBNX 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 | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2016 | 0.96 |
The correlation between VBIMX and VTBNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VBIMX vs. VTBNX — Risk / Return Rank
VBIMX
VTBNX
VBIMX vs. VTBNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBIMX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund (VTBNX). 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.
| VBIMX | VTBNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.22 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.40 | 1.77 | -0.37 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.22 | 5.27 | -1.04 |
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
| VBIMX | VTBNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.15 | 1.28 | -0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.03 | 0.02 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 | 0.31 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.67 | 0.37 | +0.30 |
Drawdowns
VBIMX vs. VTBNX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBIMX drawdown since its inception was -19.07%, roughly equal to the maximum VTBNX drawdown of -18.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBIMX and VTBNX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBIMX | VTBNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.07% | -18.71% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.42% | -2.83% | -0.59% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.05% | -5.97% | -0.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.84% | -18.05% | -0.79% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.07% | -18.71% | -0.36% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.11% | -2.41% | +0.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.32% | -4.87% | +1.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.14% | 0.95% | +0.19% |
Volatility
VBIMX vs. VTBNX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBIMX) has a higher volatility of 1.41% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund (VTBNX) at 1.31%. This indicates that VBIMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTBNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBIMX | VTBNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.41% | 1.31% | +0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.00% | 2.78% | +0.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.19% | 3.92% | +0.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.39% | 5.96% | +0.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.38% | 4.93% | +0.45% |
VBIMX vs. VTBNX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBIMX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VTBNX's 0.02% 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
VBIMX vs. VTBNX - Dividend Comparison
VBIMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, more than VTBNX's 4.06% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBIMX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares | 4.25% | 4.03% | 3.82% | 2.82% | 2.41% | 3.23% | 2.95% | 2.75% | 2.89% | 2.76% | 3.08% | 3.12% |
VTBNX Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund | 4.06% | 3.95% | 3.77% | 3.13% | 2.54% | 1.82% | 3.12% | 2.79% | 2.56% | 2.52% | 2.55% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, VBIMX and VTBNX 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.
VBIMX has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to VTBNX (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBIMX dropped -19.07% vs VTBNX's -18.71%.
VTBNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.28 vs 1.15), 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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