VBLIX vs. VBIL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBLIX (Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus) and VBIL (Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF) are both funds - VBLIX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VBIL is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg US Treasury Bills 0-3 Months Index. Over the past year, VBLIX returned 7.10% vs 3.93% for VBIL. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. VBLIX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIL.

Performance

VBLIX vs. VBIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus (VBLIX) and Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBLIX achieves a 0.46% return, which is significantly lower than VBIL's 1.50% return.

VBLIX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.49%
• YTD: 0.46%
• 6M: -0.45%
• 1Y: 7.10%
• 3Y*: 1.99%
• 5Y*: -3.24%
• 10Y*: 0.84%

VBIL

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 3.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VBLIX vs. VBIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VBLIX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus	0.46%	5.47%
VBIL Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF	1.50%	3.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VBLIX and VBIL is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2025	-0.03

Return for Risk

VBLIX vs. VBIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBLIX

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

VBIL

VBIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
VBIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VBIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

VBLIX vs. VBIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus (VBLIX) and Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL). 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.

	VBLIX	VBIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.86	15.17	-14.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	39.11	-37.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	21.10	-19.95
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.19	42.61	-41.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.09	532.54	-529.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBLIX vs. VBIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBLIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.86, which is lower than the VBIL Sharpe Ratio of 15.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBLIX and VBIL, 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

	VBLIX	VBIL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86	15.17	-14.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.25	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	13.44	-13.22

Drawdowns

VBLIX vs. VBIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBLIX drawdown since its inception was -38.61%, which is greater than VBIL's maximum drawdown of -0.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBLIX and VBIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBLIX	VBIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.61%	-0.09%	-38.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-0.09%	-5.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.90%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.49%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.74%	0.00%	-24.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.51%	-0.00%	-11.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	0.01%	+2.29%

Volatility

VBLIX vs. VBIL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus (VBLIX) has a higher volatility of 2.68% compared to Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) at 0.06%. This indicates that VBLIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBLIX	VBIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	0.06%	+2.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.82%	0.16%	+5.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.32%	0.26%	+8.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.89%	0.30%	+12.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.58%	0.30%	+11.28%

VBLIX vs. VBIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBLIX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VBIL's 0.07% 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

VBLIX vs. VBIL - Dividend Comparison

VBLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.78%, more than VBIL's 3.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIL Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF	3.65%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBLIX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus	4.78%	4.67%	4.64%	3.42%	4.17%	2.89%	5.85%	3.63%	3.83%	3.71%	4.20%	5.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBLIX and VBIL in my portfolio?

VBLIX and VBIL have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBLIX or VBIL?

VBLIX has higher volatility (2.68%) compared to VBIL (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBLIX dropped -38.61% vs VBIL's -0.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (15.17 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.