VBLLX vs. ARKB

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

VBLLX (Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) and ARKB (ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF) are both funds - VBLLX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while ARKB is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Over the past year, VBLLX returned 3.71% vs -46.28% for ARKB. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VBLLX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for ARKB.

Performance

VBLLX vs. ARKB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBLLX) and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBLLX achieves a -1.47% return, which is significantly higher than ARKB's -26.24% return.

VBLLX

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: -1.73%
• 6M: -1.75%
• YTD: -1.47%
• 1Y: 3.71%
• 3Y*: 1.21%
• 5Y*: -4.59%
• 10Y*: 0.28%

ARKB

• 1D: 3.83%
• 1M: 1.61%
• 6M: -31.67%
• YTD: -26.24%
• 1Y: -46.28%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VBLLX vs. ARKB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VBLLX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	-1.47%	6.60%	-1.86%
ARKB ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	-26.24%	-6.59%	86.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VBLLX and ARKB is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	0.04

Return for Risk

VBLLX vs. ARKB — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBLLX

VBLLX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VBLLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
VBLLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VBLLX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
VBLLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VBLLX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

ARKB

ARKB Risk / Return Rank: 2
ARKB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
ARKB Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Omega Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
ARKB Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

VBLLX vs. ARKB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBLLX) and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). 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.

	VBLLX	ARKB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.46	-1.05	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.71	-1.59	+2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	0.83	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.61	-0.87	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.48	-1.41	+2.89

VBLLX vs. ARKB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBLLX Sharpe Ratio is 0.46, which is higher than the ARKB Sharpe Ratio of -1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBLLX and ARKB, 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

VBLLX vs. ARKB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBLLX drawdown since its inception was -38.42%, smaller than the maximum ARKB drawdown of -53.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBLLX and ARKB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBLLX	ARKB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.42%	-53.33%	+14.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-53.33%	+47.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.90%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.29%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.96%	-48.63%	+22.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.28%	-17.64%	+8.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	32.82%	-30.38%

Volatility

VBLLX vs. ARKB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBLLX) is 2.39%, while ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) has a volatility of 11.72%. This indicates that VBLLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARKB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBLLX	ARKB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.39%	11.72%	-9.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.05%	34.89%	-28.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.94%	44.31%	-36.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.85%	49.82%	-36.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.56%	49.82%	-38.26%

VBLLX vs. ARKB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBLLX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than ARKB's 0.21% 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

VBLLX vs. ARKB - Dividend Comparison

VBLLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.89%, while ARKB has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARKB ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBLLX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.89%	4.66%	4.64%	3.75%	4.16%	2.89%	5.84%	3.62%	3.82%	3.69%	4.19%	4.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBLLX and ARKB in my portfolio?

VBLLX and ARKB have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBLLX or ARKB?

ARKB has higher volatility (11.72%) compared to VBLLX (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBLLX dropped -38.42% vs ARKB's -53.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBLLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.46 vs -1.05), 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.