VBTIX vs. NEFRX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VBTIX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares) and NEFRX (Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - VBTIX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, while NEFRX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by Natixis. Over the past 10 years, VBTIX returned 1.50%/yr vs 2.12%/yr for NEFRX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBTIX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.71%/yr for NEFRX.

Performance

VBTIX vs. NEFRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX) and Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund (NEFRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBTIX achieves a 0.12% return, which is significantly lower than NEFRX's 0.31% return. Over the past 10 years, VBTIX has underperformed NEFRX with an annualized return of 1.50%, while NEFRX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.12% annualized return.

VBTIX

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 0.12%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 4.16%
• 3Y*: 3.95%
• 5Y*: 0.04%
• 10Y*: 1.50%

NEFRX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 6M: 0.40%
• 1Y: 4.00%
• 3Y*: 3.53%
• 5Y*: -0.06%
• 10Y*: 2.12%

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

VBTIX vs. NEFRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.12%	7.18%	1.27%	5.75%	-13.15%	-1.95%	7.75%	8.74%	-0.24%	3.56%
NEFRX Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund	0.31%	7.24%	0.60%	5.91%	-12.94%	-1.68%	10.29%	8.76%	-0.86%	4.92%

Correlation

The correlation between VBTIX and NEFRX is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 1995	0.84

The correlation between VBTIX and NEFRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.89 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VBTIX vs. NEFRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBTIX

VBTIX Risk / Return Rank: 18
VBTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VBTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VBTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
VBTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
VBTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

NEFRX

NEFRX Risk / Return Rank: 24
NEFRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
NEFRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
NEFRX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
NEFRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
NEFRX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

VBTIX vs. NEFRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX) and Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund (NEFRX). 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.

	VBTIX	NEFRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	1.28	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	1.97	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.23	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	1.81	-0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.30	4.89	-0.58

VBTIX vs. NEFRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBTIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is comparable to the NEFRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBTIX and NEFRX, 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

VBTIX vs. NEFRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBTIX drawdown since its inception was -18.90%, smaller than the maximum NEFRX drawdown of -25.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBTIX and NEFRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBTIX	NEFRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.90%	-25.45%	+6.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.89%	-2.92%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.99%	-7.95%	+1.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.13%	-18.55%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.90%	-18.76%	-0.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.55%	-1.89%	-0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.32%	-3.96%	+1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.02%	1.05%	-0.03%

Volatility

VBTIX vs. NEFRX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX) has a higher volatility of 1.17% compared to Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund (NEFRX) at 1.09%. This indicates that VBTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NEFRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBTIX	NEFRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	1.09%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	2.81%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.92%	4.13%	-0.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.02%	6.24%	-0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.99%	5.04%	-0.05%

VBTIX vs. NEFRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBTIX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than NEFRX's 0.71% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBTIX vs. NEFRX - Dividend Comparison

VBTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.01%, more than NEFRX's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEFRX Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond Fund	3.61%	3.97%	3.90%	3.58%	3.10%	2.34%	4.04%	2.51%	2.87%	2.68%	3.17%	2.58%
VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.01%	3.88%	3.69%	3.12%	2.61%	1.81%	2.41%	2.75%	2.58%	2.56%	2.54%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBTIX and NEFRX in my portfolio?

VBTIX and NEFRX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBTIX or NEFRX?

VBTIX has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to NEFRX (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBTIX dropped -18.90% vs NEFRX's -25.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NEFRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.28 vs 1.12), 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.