VBINX vs. VGSTX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBINX) and Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX).
VBINX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 9, 1992. VGSTX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Mar 29, 1985.
Performance
VBINX vs. VGSTX - Performance Comparison
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VBINX vs. VGSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund | -4.20% | 13.46% | 17.63% | 17.41% | -16.98% | 13.62% | 16.26% | 21.67% | -2.97% | 13.75% |
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund | -4.01% | 15.88% | 13.69% | 17.14% | -18.05% | 9.65% | 21.45% | 22.21% | -5.33% | 16.95% |
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VBINX having a -4.20% return and VGSTX slightly higher at -4.01%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VBINX having a 8.91% annualized return and VGSTX not far behind at 8.76%.
VBINX
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- -5.44%
- YTD
- -4.20%
- 6M
- -2.43%
- 1Y
- 10.77%
- 3Y*
- 12.47%
- 5Y*
- 6.80%
- 10Y*
- 8.91%
VGSTX
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- -6.61%
- YTD
- -4.01%
- 6M
- -1.24%
- 1Y
- 11.52%
- 3Y*
- 11.57%
- 5Y*
- 5.39%
- 10Y*
- 8.76%
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VBINX vs. VGSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBINX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than VGSTX's 0.31% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VBINX vs. VGSTX — Risk / Return Rank
VBINX
VGSTX
VBINX vs. VGSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBINX) and Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX). 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.
| VBINX | VGSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.00 | 1.01 | -0.02 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.49 | 1.49 | 0.00 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.21 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.29 | 1.25 | +0.04 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.13 | 5.64 | +0.49 |
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
| VBINX | VGSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.00 | 1.01 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.62 | 0.46 | +0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.80 | 0.75 | +0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.76 | 0.79 | -0.04 |
Correlation
The correlation between VBINX and VGSTX is 0.94, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VBINX vs. VGSTX - Dividend Comparison
VBINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.72%, less than VGSTX's 9.51% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund | 5.72% | 5.89% | 7.88% | 4.25% | 2.71% | 2.71% | 2.54% | 2.19% | 2.20% | 1.83% | 1.97% | 1.95% |
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund | 9.51% | 9.13% | 10.67% | 5.35% | 8.34% | 6.70% | 6.68% | 6.07% | 6.90% | 3.32% | 4.77% | 5.62% |
Drawdowns
VBINX vs. VGSTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBINX drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, smaller than the maximum VGSTX drawdown of -38.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBINX and VGSTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBINX | VGSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.97% | -38.62% | +2.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.80% | -8.19% | +0.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.61% | -25.55% | +3.94% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.78% | -25.55% | +2.77% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.84% | -6.73% | +0.89% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.16% | -4.04% | -0.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.65% | 1.82% | -0.17% |
Volatility
VBINX vs. VGSTX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBINX) is 3.08%, while Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX) has a volatility of 3.49%. This indicates that VBINX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBINX | VGSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.08% | 3.49% | -0.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.94% | 6.36% | -0.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.28% | 11.32% | -0.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.06% | 11.79% | -0.73% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.19% | 11.79% | -0.60% |