VBR vs. BHYAX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) and BHYAX (BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares) are both funds - VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index, while BHYAX is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBR returned 10.50%/yr vs 5.33%/yr for BHYAX. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VBR charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.93%/yr for BHYAX.

Performance

VBR vs. BHYAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares (BHYAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBR achieves a 11.45% return, which is significantly higher than BHYAX's 1.19% return. Over the past 10 years, VBR has outperformed BHYAX with an annualized return of 10.50%, while BHYAX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.33% annualized return.

VBR

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 11.45%
• 6M: 12.14%
• 1Y: 24.85%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 7.78%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

BHYAX

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -0.17%
• YTD: 1.19%
• 6M: 1.84%
• 1Y: 7.08%
• 3Y*: 8.33%
• 5Y*: 3.77%
• 10Y*: 5.33%

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

VBR vs. BHYAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	11.45%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	22.78%	-12.28%	11.81%
BHYAX BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares	1.19%	8.96%	7.55%	12.19%	-11.63%	5.21%	5.54%	15.15%	-3.24%	8.03%

Correlation

The correlation between VBR and BHYAX is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.42

The correlation between VBR and BHYAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (all time) to 0.54 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VBR vs. BHYAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 57
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 61

BHYAX

BHYAX Risk / Return Rank: 78
BHYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
BHYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BHYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
BHYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BHYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

VBR vs. BHYAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) and BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares (BHYAX). 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.

	VBR	BHYAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	2.03	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	3.57	-1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.47	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	3.03	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.94	14.86	-4.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBR vs. BHYAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the BHYAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBR and BHYAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VBR	BHYAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	2.03	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.73	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.91	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	1.14	-0.72

Drawdowns

VBR vs. BHYAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBR drawdown since its inception was -61.98%, which is greater than BHYAX's maximum drawdown of -35.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBR and BHYAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBR	BHYAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.98%	-35.18%	-26.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-2.30%	-6.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.19%	-4.10%	-20.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.19%	-15.60%	-8.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.28%	-23.25%	-22.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	-0.56%	-0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.26%	-2.86%	-5.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	0.47%	+2.04%

Volatility

VBR vs. BHYAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) has a higher volatility of 3.67% compared to BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares (BHYAX) at 1.16%. This indicates that VBR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BHYAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBR	BHYAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	1.16%	+2.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.49%	2.66%	+7.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.16%	3.44%	+11.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.77%	5.20%	+14.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.74%	5.90%	+15.84%

VBR vs. BHYAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBR has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than BHYAX's 0.93% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBR vs. BHYAX - Dividend Comparison

VBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, less than BHYAX's 6.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BHYAX BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares	6.75%	6.71%	6.56%	5.30%	4.60%	4.42%	4.83%	5.39%	6.02%	5.50%	5.65%	6.01%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.76%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBR and BHYAX in my portfolio?

VBR and BHYAX have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBR or BHYAX?

VBR has higher volatility (3.67%) compared to BHYAX (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBR dropped -61.98% vs BHYAX's -35.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BHYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.65), 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.