VBTLX vs. VFIAX
VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBTLX returned 1.58%/yr vs 15.63%/yr for VFIAX. At a correlation of -0.19, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.
Performance
VBTLX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBTLX achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VBTLX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 1.58%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.63% annualized 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%
VFIAX
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 5.80%
- YTD
- 11.69%
- 6M
- 11.73%
- 1Y
- 28.95%
- 3Y*
- 22.72%
- 5Y*
- 14.24%
- 10Y*
- 15.63%
VBTLX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.42% | 7.17% | 1.26% | 5.74% | -13.16% | -1.81% | 7.72% | 8.73% | -0.25% | 3.56% |
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | 11.69% | 17.83% | 24.97% | 26.24% | -18.16% | 28.65% | 18.32% | 31.46% | -4.45% | 21.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBTLX and VFIAX is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001 | -0.19 |
The correlation between VBTLX and VFIAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VBTLX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank
VBTLX
VFIAX
VBTLX vs. VFIAX - 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 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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 | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.46 | -0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.86 | 3.35 | -1.50 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.58 | 15.66 | -10.08 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VBTLX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.36 | 2.52 | -1.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | 0.85 | -0.81 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 | 0.87 | -0.55 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.76 | 0.47 | +0.29 |
Drawdowns
VBTLX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBTLX drawdown since its inception was -18.81%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBTLX and VFIAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBTLX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.81% | -55.20% | +36.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.89% | -8.90% | +6.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.00% | -18.75% | +12.75% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.14% | -24.53% | +6.39% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.81% | -33.83% | +15.02% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.18% | 0.00% | -2.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.67% | -9.40% | +6.73% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.96% | 1.90% | -0.94% |
Volatility
VBTLX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) is 1.38%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a volatility of 2.82%. This indicates that VBTLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBTLX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.38% | 2.82% | -1.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.80% | 8.98% | -6.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.97% | 11.86% | -7.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.01% | 16.90% | -10.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.98% | 18.07% | -13.09% |
VBTLX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VBTLX and VFIAX have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VBTLX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison
VBTLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.01% | 1.12% | 1.24% | 1.45% | 1.68% | 1.24% | 1.53% | 1.87% | 2.05% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VBTLX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VFIAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to VBTLX (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBTLX dropped -18.81% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.
VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 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.
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