VBMFX vs. GIBIX
VBMFX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund) and GIBIX (Guggenheim Total Return Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - VBMFX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Vanguard, while GIBIX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by Guggenheim. Over the past 10 years, VBMFX returned 1.45%/yr vs 2.81%/yr for GIBIX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBMFX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for GIBIX.
Performance
VBMFX vs. GIBIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBMFX achieves a 0.38% return, which is significantly lower than GIBIX's 0.55% return. Over the past 10 years, VBMFX has underperformed GIBIX with an annualized return of 1.45%, while GIBIX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.81% annualized return.
VBMFX
- 1D
- 0.31%
- 1M
- 0.96%
- YTD
- 0.38%
- 6M
- 0.70%
- 1Y
- 4.57%
- 3Y*
- 3.97%
- 5Y*
- -0.09%
- 10Y*
- 1.45%
GIBIX
- 1D
- 0.21%
- 1M
- 1.02%
- YTD
- 0.55%
- 6M
- 1.03%
- 1Y
- 5.49%
- 3Y*
- 5.37%
- 5Y*
- 0.35%
- 10Y*
- 2.81%
VBMFX vs. GIBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBMFX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund | 0.38% | 7.05% | 1.15% | 5.62% | -13.25% | -2.04% | 7.63% | 8.61% | -0.34% | 3.45% |
GIBIX Guggenheim Total Return Bond Fund | 0.55% | 8.22% | 3.18% | 7.45% | -16.38% | -0.58% | 14.94% | 4.45% | 0.89% | 6.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBMFX and GIBIX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2012 | 0.90 |
The correlation between VBMFX and GIBIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VBMFX vs. GIBIX — Risk / Return Rank
VBMFX
GIBIX
VBMFX vs. GIBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX) and Guggenheim Total Return Bond Fund (GIBIX). 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.
| VBMFX | GIBIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.25 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.58 | 1.88 | -0.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.48 | 5.59 | -1.12 |
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Drawdowns
VBMFX vs. GIBIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBMFX drawdown since its inception was -19.08%, smaller than the maximum GIBIX drawdown of -21.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBMFX and GIBIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBMFX | GIBIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.08% | -21.44% | +2.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.91% | -2.99% | +0.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.02% | -5.93% | -0.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.24% | -21.44% | +3.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.08% | -21.44% | +2.36% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.90% | -1.25% | -1.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.70% | -3.41% | +0.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.02% | 1.00% | +0.02% |
Volatility
VBMFX vs. GIBIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX) is 1.20%, while Guggenheim Total Return Bond Fund (GIBIX) has a volatility of 1.27%. This indicates that VBMFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GIBIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBMFX | GIBIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.20% | 1.27% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.85% | 2.99% | -0.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.89% | 3.93% | -0.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.01% | 5.84% | +0.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.98% | 4.78% | +0.20% |
VBMFX vs. GIBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBMFX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than GIBIX's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
VBMFX vs. GIBIX - Dividend Comparison
VBMFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, less than GIBIX's 5.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GIBIX Guggenheim Total Return Bond Fund | 5.10% | 5.03% | 4.71% | 4.44% | 3.08% | 3.36% | 4.80% | 2.38% | 3.25% | 3.38% | 4.68% | 4.39% |
VBMFX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund | 3.87% | 3.76% | 3.57% | 2.99% | 2.49% | 1.72% | 2.31% | 2.63% | 2.47% | 2.45% | 2.43% | 2.71% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, VBMFX and GIBIX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
GIBIX has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to VBMFX (1.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBMFX dropped -19.08% vs GIBIX's -21.44%.
GIBIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.18), 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.
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