VBMFX vs. VBILX
VBMFX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund) and VBILX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VBMFX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Vanguard, while VBILX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VBMFX returned 1.46%/yr vs 1.91%/yr for VBILX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VBMFX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBILX.
Performance
VBMFX vs. VBILX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBMFX achieves a 0.38% return, which is significantly higher than VBILX's -0.05% return. Over the past 10 years, VBMFX has underperformed VBILX with an annualized return of 1.46%, while VBILX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.91% annualized return.
VBMFX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.54%
- YTD
- 0.38%
- 6M
- 0.29%
- 1Y
- 5.22%
- 3Y*
- 3.93%
- 5Y*
- 0.10%
- 10Y*
- 1.46%
VBILX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.37%
- YTD
- -0.05%
- 6M
- -0.26%
- 1Y
- 5.07%
- 3Y*
- 4.38%
- 5Y*
- 0.30%
- 10Y*
- 1.91%
VBMFX vs. VBILX - 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% |
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | -0.05% | 8.57% | 1.54% | 6.09% | -13.59% | -2.36% | 9.82% | 10.20% | -0.15% | 3.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBMFX and VBILX is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001 | 0.95 |
The correlation between VBMFX and VBILX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VBMFX vs. VBILX — Risk / Return Rank
VBMFX
VBILX
VBMFX vs. VBILX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX). 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.
| VBMFX | VBILX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.22 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.80 | 1.49 | +0.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.43 | 4.50 | +0.93 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VBMFX | VBILX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.33 | 1.23 | +0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.02 | 0.05 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.29 | 0.36 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.96 | 0.67 | +0.29 |
Drawdowns
VBMFX vs. VBILX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBMFX drawdown since its inception was -19.08%, roughly equal to the maximum VBILX drawdown of -19.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBMFX and VBILX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBMFX | VBILX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.08% | -19.26% | +0.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.91% | -3.43% | +0.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.02% | -6.05% | +0.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.24% | -19.15% | +0.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.08% | -19.26% | +0.18% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.90% | -1.84% | -1.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.70% | -3.16% | +0.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.96% | 1.13% | -0.17% |
Volatility
VBMFX vs. VBILX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX) have volatilities of 1.37% and 1.44%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBMFX | VBILX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.37% | 1.44% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.79% | 3.00% | -0.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.96% | 4.16% | -0.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.01% | 6.39% | -0.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.98% | 5.36% | -0.38% |
VBMFX vs. VBILX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBMFX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VBILX's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VBMFX vs. VBILX - Dividend Comparison
VBMFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, less than VBILX's 4.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 4.21% | 4.01% | 3.80% | 3.09% | 1.99% | 3.39% | 2.94% | 2.73% | 2.87% | 2.73% | 3.06% | 3.09% |
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 0.96, VBMFX and VBILX 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.
VBILX has higher volatility (1.44%) compared to VBMFX (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBMFX dropped -19.08% vs VBILX's -19.26%.
VBMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 1.23), 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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