VBLAX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VBLAX (Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VBLAX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VBIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the 60% CRSP US Total Market Index / 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 5 years, VBLAX returned -3.78%/yr vs 7.55%/yr for VBIAX. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.07% expense ratio.

Performance

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBLAX achieves a 0.25% return, which is significantly lower than VBIAX's 6.36% return.

VBLAX

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 1.58%
• YTD: 0.25%
• 6M: 0.56%
• 1Y: 5.10%
• 3Y*: 1.72%
• 5Y*: -3.78%
• 10Y*: —

VBIAX

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 6.36%
• 6M: 5.74%
• 1Y: 17.06%
• 3Y*: 14.33%
• 5Y*: 7.55%
• 10Y*: 9.89%

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

VBLAX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VBLAX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.25%	6.57%	-4.14%	7.55%	-27.22%	-3.36%	15.75%	16.45%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	6.36%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	14.63%

Correlation

The correlation between VBLAX and VBIAX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.18

Over the past year, VBLAX and VBIAX have become more correlated (0.45) than their long-term average of 0.18, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VBLAX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBLAX

VBLAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
VBLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VBLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VBLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VBLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
VBLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. VBIAX - 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 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VBLAX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.68	2.14	-1.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.01	3.03	-2.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.39	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.91	3.08	-2.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.24	13.64	-11.41

VBLAX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBLAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.68, which is lower than the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBLAX and VBIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VBLAX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBLAX drawdown since its inception was -38.62%, which is greater than VBIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBLAX and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBLAX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.62%	-35.90%	-2.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-5.83%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.92%	-11.70%	-3.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.32%	-21.53%	-14.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.66%	-0.93%	-23.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.14%	-4.44%	-13.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	1.31%	+1.11%

Volatility

VBLAX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX) is 2.07%, while Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) has a volatility of 3.24%. This indicates that VBLAX 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.

Volatility by Period

	VBLAX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.07%	3.24%	-1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.78%	6.69%	-0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.05%	8.38%	-0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.86%	11.12%	+1.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.61%	11.25%	+1.36%

VBLAX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VBLAX and VBIAX have an expense ratio of 0.07%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VBLAX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VBLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.75%, less than VBIAX's 5.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.26%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%
VBLAX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.75%	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 VBIAX in my portfolio?

VBLAX and VBIAX have a correlation of 0.45, 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 VBIAX?

VBIAX has higher volatility (3.24%) compared to VBLAX (2.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBLAX dropped -38.62% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 0.68), 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.