VBND vs. AKAF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VBND (Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF) and AKAF (The Frontier Economic Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VBND is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy Index, while AKAF is a Global Equities fund tracking the Alaska Last Frontier Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VBND returned 2.16% vs 28.95% for AKAF. Their 0.29 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VBND charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for AKAF.

Performance

VBND vs. AKAF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) and The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBND achieves a -0.59% return, which is significantly lower than AKAF's 10.95% return.

VBND

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -1.53%
• 6M: -0.55%
• YTD: -0.59%
• 1Y: 2.16%
• 3Y*: 4.38%
• 5Y*: -0.19%
• 10Y*: 1.29%
• ALL TIME*: 1.54%

AKAF

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.85%
• 6M: 3.76%
• YTD: 10.95%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 27.07%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	$576.73	$1.24K	$1.57K
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	$846.73K	$2.16M	$1.29M

VBND vs. AKAF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	-0.59%	3.98%
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	10.95%	17.17%

Correlation

The correlation between VBND and AKAF is 0.31, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.29

Return for Risk

VBND vs. AKAF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VBND

VBND Risk / Return Rank: 29
VBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VBND Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VBND Martin Ratio Rank: 30

AKAF

AKAF Risk / Return Rank: 80
AKAF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
AKAF Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AKAF Omega Ratio Rank: 80
AKAF Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
AKAF Martin Ratio Rank: 78

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VBND vs. AKAF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) and The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF). 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.

	VBND	AKAF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	1.87	-1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.10	2.61	-1.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.34	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.06	2.98	-1.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.72	10.08	-7.36

VBND vs. AKAF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBND Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is lower than the AKAF Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBND and AKAF, 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

VBND vs. AKAF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBND drawdown since its inception was -18.97%, which is greater than AKAF's maximum drawdown of -9.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBND and AKAF.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBND	AKAF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.97%	-9.32%	-9.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-9.32%	+6.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.60%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.84%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.84%	-2.28%	+0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.17%	-1.82%	-2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	2.75%	-1.66%

Volatility

VBND vs. AKAF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) is 1.01%, while The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF) has a volatility of 2.92%. This indicates that VBND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AKAF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBND	AKAF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.01%	2.92%	-1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.94%	11.52%	-8.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.12%	14.85%	-10.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.12%	14.57%	-8.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.45%	14.57%	-9.12%

VBND vs. AKAF - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBND has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than AKAF's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBND vs. AKAF - Dividend Comparison

VBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.35%, more than AKAF's 2.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	2.97%	2.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	4.35%	4.22%	4.41%	3.88%	2.55%	1.56%	1.98%	3.14%	2.82%	2.00%	3.12%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBND and AKAF in my portfolio?

VBND and AKAF have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBND or AKAF?

AKAF has higher volatility (2.92%) compared to VBND (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBND dropped -18.97% vs AKAF's -9.32%.

Which ETF is better, VBND or AKAF?

On 1-year performance, AKAF leads with 28.95% vs 2.16% for VBND. On fees, AKAF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, VBND has been the lower-risk option at 1.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VBND or AKAF?

Over the 1-year period, AKAF has performed better with a 28.95% return vs 2.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBND or AKAF?

AKAF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for VBND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VBND or AKAF?

VBND has the higher dividend yield at 4.35%, compared with 2.97% for AKAF.

What is the main difference between VBND and AKAF?

VBND is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while AKAF is Global Equities. VBND tracks Vident Core U.S. Bond Strategy Index, while AKAF tracks Alaska Last Frontier Index. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for VBND and 0.20% for AKAF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AKAF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.73), 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.