VBINX vs. VSMGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBINX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund) and VSMGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VBINX returned 9.97%/yr vs 8.90%/yr for VSMGX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBINX charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VSMGX.

Performance

VBINX vs. VSMGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBINX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBINX achieves a 7.32% return, which is significantly lower than VSMGX's 8.24% return. Over the past 10 years, VBINX has outperformed VSMGX with an annualized return of 9.97%, while VSMGX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.90% annualized return.

VBINX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 3.69%
• YTD: 7.32%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 19.24%
• 3Y*: 15.97%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: 9.97%

VSMGX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 3.68%
• YTD: 8.24%
• 6M: 8.79%
• 1Y: 19.95%
• 3Y*: 16.07%
• 5Y*: 7.92%
• 10Y*: 8.90%

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

VBINX vs. VSMGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund	7.32%	13.46%	17.63%	17.41%	-16.98%	13.62%	16.26%	21.67%	-2.97%	13.75%
VSMGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund	8.24%	16.26%	15.03%	15.70%	-16.01%	10.08%	13.59%	19.37%	-4.91%	13.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VBINX and VSMGX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
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 Oct 3, 1994	0.94

The correlation between VBINX and VSMGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VBINX vs. VSMGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBINX

VBINX Risk / Return Rank: 75
VBINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VBINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VBINX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VBINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VBINX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

VSMGX

VSMGX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VSMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VSMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VSMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VSMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VSMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

VBINX vs. VSMGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBINX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX). 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	VSMGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.47	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.57	3.51	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.47	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	3.05	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.44	13.33	+2.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBINX vs. VSMGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBINX Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the VSMGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBINX and VSMGX, 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

	VBINX	VSMGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	2.47	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.78	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89	0.86	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.70	+0.09

Drawdowns

VBINX vs. VSMGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBINX drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, smaller than the maximum VSMGX drawdown of -41.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBINX and VSMGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBINX	VSMGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.97%	-41.13%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.84%	-6.64%	+0.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.60%	-9.62%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.61%	-22.29%	+0.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.78%	-22.43%	-0.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.14%	-4.84%	+0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.28%	1.51%	-0.23%

Volatility

VBINX vs. VSMGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBINX) is 2.26%, while Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund (VSMGX) has a volatility of 2.65%. This indicates that VBINX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSMGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBINX	VSMGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.26%	2.65%	-0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.13%	6.65%	-0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.91%	8.19%	-0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.10%	10.18%	+0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.23%	10.36%	+0.87%

VBINX vs. VSMGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBINX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMGX's 0.13% 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

VBINX vs. VSMGX - Dividend Comparison

VBINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.11%, more than VSMGX's 4.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund	5.11%	5.89%	7.88%	4.25%	2.71%	2.71%	2.54%	2.19%	2.20%	1.83%	1.97%	1.95%
VSMGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund	4.85%	5.25%	11.49%	4.01%	2.66%	3.86%	3.46%	2.52%	4.11%	1.09%	2.26%	3.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBINX and VSMGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, VBINX and VSMGX 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.

Which is riskier, VBINX or VSMGX?

VSMGX has higher volatility (2.65%) compared to VBINX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBINX dropped -35.97% vs VSMGX's -41.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.47), 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.