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VBLAX vs. VSBSX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

VBLAX vs. VSBSX - 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 Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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VBLAX vs. VSBSX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
VBLAX
Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares
-0.96%6.57%-4.14%7.55%-27.22%-3.36%15.75%16.45%
VSBSX
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares
0.29%5.08%4.39%4.23%-3.87%-0.69%3.09%3.25%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBLAX achieves a -0.96% return, which is significantly lower than VSBSX's 0.29% return.


VBLAX

1D
0.19%
1M
-3.26%
YTD
-0.96%
6M
-1.49%
1Y
1.14%
3Y*
0.80%
5Y*
-3.19%
10Y*

VSBSX

1D
0.10%
1M
-0.31%
YTD
0.29%
6M
1.25%
1Y
3.68%
3Y*
4.11%
5Y*
1.84%
10Y*
1.74%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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VBLAX vs. VSBSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VBLAX and VSBSX 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%.


Return for Risk

VBLAX vs. VSBSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBLAX
VBLAX Risk / Return Rank: 99
Overall Rank
VBLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
Omega Ratio Rank
VBLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1414
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 1111
Martin Ratio Rank

VSBSX
VSBSX Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
VSBSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9797
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VSBSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9797
Sortino Ratio Rank
VSBSX Omega Ratio Rank: 9696
Omega Ratio Rank
VSBSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9898
Calmar Ratio Rank
VSBSX Martin Ratio Rank: 9797
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.

VBLAX vs. VSBSX - 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 Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX). 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.


VBLAXVSBSXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.19

2.60

-2.41

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

0.32

4.12

-3.80

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.04

1.56

-0.52

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

0.41

4.52

-4.11

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

0.99

17.41

-16.43

VBLAX vs. VSBSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBLAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.19, which is lower than the VSBSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBLAX and VSBSX, 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


VBLAXVSBSXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.19

2.60

-2.41

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.25

0.96

-1.21

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

1.14

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.03

1.07

-1.04

Correlation

The correlation between VBLAX and VSBSX is 0.60, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.


Dividends

VBLAX vs. VSBSX - Dividend Comparison

VBLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.33%, more than VSBSX's 3.57% yield.


TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VBLAX
Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares
4.33%4.64%4.61%4.08%4.13%2.62%5.39%3.25%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VSBSX
Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares
3.57%3.98%4.50%3.29%1.12%0.63%1.72%2.26%1.80%1.10%0.76%0.71%

Drawdowns

VBLAX vs. VSBSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBLAX drawdown since its inception was -38.62%, which is greater than VSBSX's maximum drawdown of -5.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBLAX and VSBSX.


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Drawdown Indicators


VBLAXVSBSXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-38.62%

-5.77%

-32.85%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.87%

-0.84%

-6.03%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-36.32%

-5.77%

-30.55%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-5.77%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-25.57%

-0.43%

-25.14%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-17.94%

-0.59%

-17.35%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.82%

0.22%

+2.60%

Volatility

VBLAX vs. VSBSX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX) has a higher volatility of 3.30% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX) at 0.53%. This indicates that VBLAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSBSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


VBLAXVSBSXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.30%

0.53%

+2.77%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

5.44%

0.84%

+4.60%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

9.50%

1.44%

+8.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

12.89%

1.94%

+10.95%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

12.74%

1.53%

+11.21%