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VBIPX vs. VBIAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

VBIPX vs. VBIAX - 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 Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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VBIPX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
VBIAX
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares
-4.19%13.61%14.58%17.54%-16.90%14.21%16.40%21.78%-2.86%13.89%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBIPX achieves a -0.32% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's -4.19% return. Over the past 10 years, VBIPX has underperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 1.87%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.77% annualized return.


VBIPX

1D
0.20%
1M
-1.25%
YTD
-0.32%
6M
0.88%
1Y
3.67%
3Y*
4.00%
5Y*
1.50%
10Y*
1.87%

VBIAX

1D
-0.06%
1M
-5.43%
YTD
-4.19%
6M
-2.40%
1Y
10.89%
3Y*
11.56%
5Y*
6.33%
10Y*
8.77%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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VBIPX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBIPX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VBIAX's 0.07% 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%.


Return for Risk

VBIPX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBIPX
VBIPX Risk / Return Rank: 9090
Overall Rank
VBIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9393
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
VBIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9292
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 9191
Martin Ratio Rank

VBIAX
VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5858
Omega Ratio Rank
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5757
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VBIAX - 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 Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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.


VBIPXVBIAXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.71

1.01

+0.70

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

2.83

1.51

+1.32

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.22

+0.13

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

2.80

1.31

+1.49

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

10.37

6.22

+4.15

VBIPX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBIPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is higher than the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBIPX and VBIAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.


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Sharpe Ratios by Period


VBIPXVBIAXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.71

1.01

+0.70

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.52

0.58

-0.06

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.79

0.79

0.00

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.78

0.60

+0.18

Correlation

The correlation between VBIPX and VBIAX is 0.02, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.


Dividends

VBIPX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VBIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.63%, less than VBIAX's 5.84% yield.


TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VBIPX
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus
3.63%3.86%3.40%2.01%1.40%1.26%1.82%2.27%2.04%1.69%1.53%1.46%
VBIAX
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares
5.84%6.00%5.27%4.35%2.83%3.19%2.65%2.28%2.32%1.95%2.09%2.09%

Drawdowns

VBIPX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBIPX drawdown since its inception was -8.72%, smaller than the maximum VBIAX drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBIPX and VBIAX.


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Drawdown Indicators


VBIPXVBIAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-8.72%

-35.90%

+27.18%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.54%

-7.78%

+6.24%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-8.69%

-21.53%

+12.84%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-8.72%

-22.78%

+14.06%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.25%

-5.83%

+4.58%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-1.19%

-4.47%

+3.28%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.42%

1.64%

-1.22%

Volatility

VBIPX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus (VBIPX) is 0.75%, while Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) has a volatility of 3.07%. This indicates that VBIPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


VBIPXVBIAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.75%

3.07%

-2.32%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.50%

5.93%

-4.43%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.42%

11.27%

-8.85%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.93%

11.02%

-8.09%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

2.39%

11.17%

-8.78%