VBIPX vs. SPHY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBIPX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus) and SPHY (SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) are both funds - VBIPX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while SPHY is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofAML US High Yield Index. Over the past 10 years, VBIPX returned 1.90%/yr vs 5.15%/yr for SPHY. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VBIPX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for SPHY.

Performance

VBIPX vs. SPHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus (VBIPX) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBIPX achieves a 0.32% return, which is significantly lower than SPHY's 1.54% return. Over the past 10 years, VBIPX has underperformed SPHY with an annualized return of 1.90%, while SPHY has yielded a comparatively higher 5.15% annualized return.

VBIPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.32%
• 6M: 0.56%
• 1Y: 3.77%
• 3Y*: 4.36%
• 5Y*: 1.55%
• 10Y*: 1.90%

SPHY

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.54%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 7.16%
• 3Y*: 8.97%
• 5Y*: 4.39%
• 10Y*: 5.15%

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

VBIPX vs. SPHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBIPX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus	0.32%	6.12%	3.78%	4.45%	-5.68%	-1.17%	4.73%	4.89%	1.38%	1.21%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	1.54%	8.59%	8.54%	12.81%	-10.57%	5.61%	6.65%	13.16%	-3.35%	7.35%

Correlation

The correlation between VBIPX and SPHY is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2012	0.19

Over the past year, VBIPX and SPHY have become more correlated (0.49) than their long-term average of 0.19, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VBIPX vs. SPHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBIPX

VBIPX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VBIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VBIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VBIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VBIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VBIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

SPHY

SPHY Risk / Return Rank: 62
SPHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SPHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPHY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SPHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPHY Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

VBIPX vs. SPHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus (VBIPX) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). 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.

	VBIPX	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	1.96	-0.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	2.98	-0.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.39	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	2.98	-0.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.04	13.52	-5.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBIPX vs. SPHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBIPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the SPHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBIPX and SPHY, 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

	VBIPX	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	1.96	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.62	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.65	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.64	+0.15

Drawdowns

VBIPX vs. SPHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBIPX drawdown since its inception was -8.72%, smaller than the maximum SPHY drawdown of -21.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBIPX and SPHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBIPX	SPHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.72%	-21.97%	+13.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.54%	-2.41%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.54%	-4.85%	+3.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.69%	-15.29%	+6.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.72%	-21.97%	+13.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	-0.22%	-0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.19%	-2.29%	+1.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.47%	0.53%	-0.06%

Volatility

VBIPX vs. SPHY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus (VBIPX) is 0.70%, while SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY) has a volatility of 1.14%. This indicates that VBIPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBIPX	SPHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.70%	1.14%	-0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.61%	2.91%	-1.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26%	3.68%	-1.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.96%	7.17%	-4.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.40%	7.89%	-5.49%

VBIPX vs. SPHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBIPX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than SPHY's 0.10% 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

VBIPX vs. SPHY - Dividend Comparison

VBIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.02%, less than SPHY's 7.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	7.27%	7.38%	7.80%	7.30%	6.47%	5.13%	5.63%	5.73%	4.09%	4.41%	4.27%	4.29%
VBIPX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus	4.02%	3.86%	3.40%	2.01%	1.40%	1.26%	1.82%	2.27%	2.04%	1.69%	1.53%	1.46%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBIPX and SPHY in my portfolio?

VBIPX and SPHY have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBIPX or SPHY?

SPHY has higher volatility (1.14%) compared to VBIPX (0.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBIPX dropped -8.72% vs SPHY's -21.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.67), 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.