VBTLX vs. VBLAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBLAX (Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Total Bond Market funds from Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VBTLX returned 0.21%/yr vs -3.13%/yr for VBLAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBTLX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBLAX.

Performance

VBTLX vs. VBLAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBTLX achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than VBLAX's 0.45% return.

VBTLX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.35%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 4.05%
• 5Y*: 0.21%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

VBLAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 6M: -0.47%
• 1Y: 7.06%
• 3Y*: 2.09%
• 5Y*: -3.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

VBTLX vs. VBLAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.42%	7.17%	1.26%	5.74%	-13.16%	-1.81%	7.72%	7.63%
VBLAX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.45%	6.57%	-4.14%	7.55%	-27.22%	-3.36%	15.75%	16.45%

Correlation

The correlation between VBTLX and VBLAX is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.94

The correlation between VBTLX and VBLAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VBTLX vs. VBLAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBTLX

VBTLX Risk / Return Rank: 23
VBTLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VBTLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VBTLX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
VBTLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VBTLX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

VBLAX

VBLAX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VBLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VBLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VBLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VBLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
VBLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

VBTLX vs. VBLAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX). 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.

	VBTLX	VBLAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	0.86	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	1.28	+0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.15	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	1.18	+0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.58	3.04	+2.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBTLX vs. VBLAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBTLX Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is higher than the VBLAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBTLX and VBLAX, 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

	VBTLX	VBLAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	0.86	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	-0.24	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.05	+0.71

Drawdowns

VBTLX vs. VBLAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBTLX drawdown since its inception was -18.81%, smaller than the maximum VBLAX drawdown of -38.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBTLX and VBLAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBTLX	VBLAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.81%	-38.62%	+19.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.89%	-5.98%	+3.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.00%	-14.92%	+8.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.14%	-36.32%	+18.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.81%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.18%	-24.51%	+22.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.67%	-18.11%	+15.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	2.33%	-1.37%

Volatility

VBTLX vs. VBLAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) is 1.38%, while Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX) has a volatility of 2.56%. This indicates that VBTLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBLAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBTLX	VBLAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	2.56%	-1.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.80%	5.72%	-2.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.97%	8.25%	-4.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.01%	12.89%	-6.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.98%	12.64%	-7.66%

VBTLX vs. VBLAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBTLX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VBLAX's 0.07% 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

VBTLX vs. VBLAX - Dividend Comparison

VBTLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, less than VBLAX's 4.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBLAX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.74%	4.64%	4.61%	4.08%	4.13%	2.62%	5.39%	3.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.98%	3.87%	3.69%	3.10%	2.59%	1.96%	2.39%	2.74%	2.57%	2.56%	2.53%	2.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBTLX and VBLAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VBTLX and VBLAX 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.

Which is riskier, VBTLX or VBLAX?

VBLAX has higher volatility (2.56%) compared to VBTLX (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBTLX dropped -18.81% vs VBLAX's -38.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBTLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 0.86), 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.