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VBIRX vs. VTBNX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

VBIRX vs. VTBNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund (VTBNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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VBIRX vs. VTBNX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VBIRX
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares
-0.23%6.09%3.75%4.87%-5.63%-1.20%4.69%4.86%1.37%1.18%
VTBNX
Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
-0.39%7.18%1.32%5.68%-13.12%-1.82%7.39%8.71%-0.27%3.62%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBIRX achieves a -0.23% return, which is significantly higher than VTBNX's -0.39% return. Over the past 10 years, VBIRX has outperformed VTBNX with an annualized return of 1.90%, while VTBNX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.


VBIRX

1D
0.10%
1M
-0.87%
YTD
-0.23%
6M
0.77%
1Y
3.65%
3Y*
4.15%
5Y*
1.60%
10Y*
1.90%

VTBNX

1D
0.21%
1M
-1.65%
YTD
-0.39%
6M
0.40%
1Y
3.62%
3Y*
3.47%
5Y*
0.19%
10Y*
1.58%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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VBIRX vs. VTBNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBIRX has a 0.07% 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%.


Return for Risk

VBIRX vs. VTBNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBIRX
VBIRX Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
VBIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8282
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
VBIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 8989
Martin Ratio Rank

VTBNX
VTBNX Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
VTBNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTBNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3838
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTBNX Omega Ratio Rank: 2727
Omega Ratio Rank
VTBNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTBNX Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
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.

VBIRX vs. VTBNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) 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.


VBIRXVTBNXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.58

0.90

+0.68

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

2.58

1.30

+1.28

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.16

+0.16

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

2.71

1.65

+1.06

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

9.87

4.63

+5.24

VBIRX vs. VTBNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBIRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is higher than the VTBNX Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBIRX and VTBNX, 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


VBIRXVTBNXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.58

0.90

+0.68

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.55

0.03

+0.51

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.80

0.32

+0.48

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.97

0.37

+0.60

Correlation

The correlation between VBIRX and VTBNX is 0.82, 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

VBIRX vs. VTBNX - Dividend Comparison

VBIRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.60%, less than VTBNX's 3.68% yield.


TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VBIRX
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares
3.60%3.83%3.37%2.41%1.46%1.22%1.77%2.24%2.03%1.66%1.50%1.41%
VTBNX
Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund
3.68%3.95%3.77%3.13%2.54%1.82%3.12%2.79%2.56%2.52%2.55%0.00%

Drawdowns

VBIRX vs. VTBNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBIRX drawdown since its inception was -8.69%, smaller than the maximum VTBNX drawdown of -18.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBIRX and VTBNX.


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Drawdown Indicators


VBIRXVTBNXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-8.69%

-18.71%

+10.02%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.54%

-2.67%

+1.13%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-8.64%

-18.05%

+9.41%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-8.69%

-18.71%

+10.02%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.16%

-2.91%

+1.75%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.99%

-4.91%

+3.92%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.42%

0.95%

-0.53%

Volatility

VBIRX vs. VTBNX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) is 0.71%, while Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund (VTBNX) has a volatility of 1.52%. This indicates that VBIRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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


VBIRXVTBNXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.71%

1.52%

-0.81%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.50%

2.54%

-1.04%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.42%

4.31%

-1.89%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.93%

5.92%

-2.99%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

2.39%

4.91%

-2.52%