VBLAX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBLAX (Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VBLAX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, VBLAX returned -3.13%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VBLAX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VBLAX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBLAX achieves a 0.45% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

VBLAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 6M: -0.47%
• 1Y: 7.06%
• 3Y*: 2.09%
• 5Y*: -3.13%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

VBLAX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VBLAX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.45%	6.57%	-4.14%	7.55%	-27.22%	-3.36%	15.75%	16.45%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	21.40%

Correlation

The correlation between VBLAX and SPY is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.02

Over the past year, VBLAX and SPY have become more correlated (0.27) than their long-term average of 0.02, meaning their price movements have been converging.

VBLAX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VBLAX	SPY
Financial Services	0.0%	11.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

VBLAX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBLAX

VBLAX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VBLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VBLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VBLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VBLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
VBLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VBLAX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	VBLAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.86	2.38	-1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.28	3.24	-1.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.43	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.18	3.16	-1.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.04	14.72	-11.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBLAX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBLAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.86, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBLAX and SPY, 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

	VBLAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86	2.38	-1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.24	0.82	-1.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.05	0.59	-0.54

Drawdowns

VBLAX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBLAX drawdown since its inception was -38.62%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBLAX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBLAX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.62%	-55.19%	+16.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-8.88%	+2.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.92%	-18.76%	+3.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.32%	-24.50%	-11.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.51%	-0.70%	-23.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.11%	-9.05%	-9.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	1.91%	+0.42%

Volatility

VBLAX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX) is 2.56%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that VBLAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBLAX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.56%	2.84%	-0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.72%	8.90%	-3.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.25%	11.83%	-3.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.89%	17.05%	-4.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.64%	17.94%	-5.30%

VBLAX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBLAX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SPY's 0.09% 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

VBLAX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VBLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VBLAX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.74%	4.64%	4.61%	4.08%	4.13%	2.62%	5.39%	3.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBLAX and SPY in my portfolio?

VBLAX and SPY have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBLAX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to VBLAX (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBLAX dropped -38.62% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.86), 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.