VBMPX vs. VBAIX
VBMPX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - VBMPX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VBAIX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VBMPX returned 1.58%/yr vs 10.15%/yr for VBAIX. At a correlation of -0.00, they often move in opposite directions. VBMPX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBAIX.
Performance
VBMPX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBMPX achieves a 0.43% return, which is significantly lower than VBAIX's 7.40% return. Over the past 10 years, VBMPX has underperformed VBAIX with an annualized return of 1.58%, while VBAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.15% annualized return.
VBMPX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 0.43%
- 6M
- 0.36%
- 1Y
- 5.36%
- 3Y*
- 4.06%
- 5Y*
- 0.23%
- 10Y*
- 1.58%
VBAIX
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- 3.72%
- YTD
- 7.40%
- 6M
- 7.29%
- 1Y
- 19.41%
- 3Y*
- 16.11%
- 5Y*
- 8.62%
- 10Y*
- 10.15%
VBMPX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 0.43% | 7.18% | 1.27% | 5.75% | -13.14% | -1.95% | 7.75% | 8.74% | -0.24% | 3.58% |
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares | 7.40% | 13.60% | 17.78% | 17.55% | -16.87% | 14.20% | 16.40% | 21.79% | -2.83% | 13.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBMPX and VBAIX is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2010 | -0.00 |
The correlation between VBMPX and VBAIX shifts across timeframes, from -0.00 (all time) to 0.39 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VBMPX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank
VBMPX
VBAIX
VBMPX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.
| VBMPX | VBAIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.17 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.55 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.47 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.86 | 3.42 | -1.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.61 | 15.63 | -10.02 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VBMPX | VBAIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.36 | 2.53 | -1.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | 0.78 | -0.74 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 | 0.91 | -0.59 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.52 | 0.66 | -0.14 |
Drawdowns
VBMPX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBMPX drawdown since its inception was -18.90%, smaller than the maximum VBAIX drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBMPX and VBAIX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VBMPX | VBAIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.90% | -35.82% | +16.92% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.89% | -5.84% | +2.95% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.99% | -11.57% | +5.58% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.12% | -21.52% | +3.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.90% | -22.77% | +3.87% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.23% | 0.00% | -2.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.53% | -4.42% | +0.89% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.96% | 1.27% | -0.31% |
Volatility
VBMPX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VBMPX) is 1.38%, while Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) has a volatility of 2.26%. This indicates that VBMPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VBMPX | VBAIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.38% | 2.26% | -0.88% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.80% | 6.11% | -3.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.97% | 7.90% | -3.93% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.02% | 11.10% | -5.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.98% | 11.23% | -6.25% |
VBMPX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBMPX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VBAIX's 0.06% 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
VBMPX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison
VBMPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.00%, less than VBAIX's 5.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares | 5.22% | 6.01% | 8.01% | 4.36% | 2.84% | 3.20% | 2.65% | 2.29% | 2.33% | 1.96% | 2.10% | 2.10% |
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 4.00% | 3.88% | 3.69% | 3.11% | 2.61% | 1.81% | 2.41% | 2.75% | 2.58% | 2.58% | 2.55% | 2.85% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VBMPX and VBAIX have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VBAIX has higher volatility (2.26%) compared to VBMPX (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBMPX dropped -18.90% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.
VBAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.36), 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.
Find the right allocation for VBMPX and VBAIX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer