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VBK vs. BIV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VBK vs. BIV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VBK (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF) and BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VBK is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBK returned 11.47%/yr vs 1.83%/yr for BIV. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. VBK charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BIV.

Performance

VBK vs. BIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 14.03% return, which is significantly higher than BIV's -0.67% return. Over the past 10 years, VBK has outperformed BIV with an annualized return of 11.47%, while BIV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.83% annualized return.

VBK

1D
0.58%
1M
0.15%
YTD
14.03%
6M
12.70%
1Y
27.37%
3Y*
16.31%
5Y*
4.73%
10Y*
11.47%

BIV

1D
-0.05%
1M
-0.94%
YTD
-0.67%
6M
-0.33%
1Y
4.70%
3Y*
4.27%
5Y*
0.08%
10Y*
1.83%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VBK vs. BIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		14.03%8.50%16.50%21.45%-28.44%5.66%35.44%32.75%-5.70%21.87%
BIV
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF		-0.67%8.52%1.57%6.07%-13.21%-2.40%9.67%10.34%-0.19%3.65%

Correlation

The correlation between VBK and BIV is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.31

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.26

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.20

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.07

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007

-0.13

The correlation between VBK and BIV shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (all time) to 0.31 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF

Often compared with VBK:
VBK vs. VBVBK vs. VBRVBK vs. AVUVVBK vs. VOOVBK vs. IJRVBK vs. SCHAVBK vs. VIOG
Often compared with BIV:
BIV vs. BNDBIV vs. BLVBIV vs. VFICXBIV vs. SCHPBIV vs. BNDXBIV vs. VGSHBIV vs. AGG

Return for Risk

VBK vs. BIV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VBK
VBK Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 4040
Omega Ratio Rank
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 5757
Martin Ratio Rank
BIV
BIV Risk / Return Rank: 3434
Overall Rank
BIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3636
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 3737
Sortino Ratio Rank
BIV Omega Ratio Rank: 3333
Omega Ratio Rank
BIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 3333
Calmar Ratio Rank
BIV Martin Ratio Rank: 3232
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.

VBK vs. BIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). 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.

VBKBIVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.40
1.18

+0.22

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.96
1.76

+0.20

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.21

+0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.40

1.49

+0.91

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.10

4.40

+4.70

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBK vs. BIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBK Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is comparable to the BIV Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBK and BIV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VBKBIVDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.40

1.18

+0.22

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.20

0.01

+0.19

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.50

0.33

+0.17

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.42

0.64

-0.22

Drawdowns

VBK vs. BIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, which is greater than BIV's maximum drawdown of -18.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and BIV.

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Drawdown Indicators

VBKBIVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.68%

-18.95%

-39.73%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.44%

-3.18%

-8.26%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.54%

-6.07%

-21.47%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.39%

-18.74%

-19.65%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.70%

-18.95%

-19.75%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.91%

-2.46%

-1.45%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.15%

-3.39%

-6.76%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.02%

1.07%

+1.95%

Volatility

VBK vs. BIV - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) has a higher volatility of 6.43% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) at 1.35%. This indicates that VBK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VBKBIVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.43%

1.35%

+5.08%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.18%

2.93%

+12.25%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.65%

4.00%

+15.65%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.54%

6.40%

+17.14%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.90%

5.51%

+17.39%

VBK vs. BIV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBK has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than BIV's 0.03% 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

VBK vs. BIV - Dividend Comparison

VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than BIV's 4.24% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BIV
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF		4.24%4.01%3.79%3.09%2.41%3.42%2.95%2.75%2.88%2.69%3.01%3.02%
VBK
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF		0.46%0.54%0.54%0.68%0.55%0.36%0.44%0.57%0.79%0.82%1.08%0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

VBK and BIV have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VBK has higher volatility (6.43%) compared to BIV (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBK dropped -58.68% vs BIV's -18.95%.

On 10-year performance, VBK leads with 11.47% vs 1.83% for BIV. On fees, BIV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BIV has been the lower-risk option at 1.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VBK has performed better with a 11.47% return vs 1.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

BIV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for VBK.

BIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.24%, compared with 0.46% for VBK.

VBK is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while BIV is Intermediate Core Bond. VBK tracks CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index, while BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VBK and 0.03% for BIV.

VBK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 1.18), 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.

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