VCOBX vs. RPSIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCOBX (Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares) and RPSIX (T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund) are both mutual funds - VCOBX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while RPSIX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by T. Rowe Price. Over the past 10 years, VCOBX returned 2.19%/yr vs 3.88%/yr for RPSIX. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCOBX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for RPSIX.

Performance

VCOBX vs. RPSIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX) and T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund (RPSIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCOBX achieves a 0.60% return, which is significantly lower than RPSIX's 1.36% return. Over the past 10 years, VCOBX has underperformed RPSIX with an annualized return of 2.19%, while RPSIX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.88% annualized return.

VCOBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 0.60%
• 6M: 0.47%
• 1Y: 5.73%
• 3Y*: 4.90%
• 5Y*: 0.65%
• 10Y*: 2.19%

RPSIX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.64%
• YTD: 1.36%
• 6M: 2.23%
• 1Y: 8.35%
• 3Y*: 7.54%
• 5Y*: 2.57%
• 10Y*: 3.88%

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

VCOBX vs. RPSIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares	0.60%	7.73%	2.21%	6.39%	-13.13%	-1.51%	10.41%	9.64%	-0.85%	3.89%
RPSIX T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund	1.36%	9.91%	5.62%	8.55%	-11.40%	2.60%	6.07%	11.57%	-2.61%	7.03%

Correlation

The correlation between VCOBX and RPSIX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2016	0.56

The correlation between VCOBX and RPSIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (all time) to 0.78 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCOBX vs. RPSIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCOBX

VCOBX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VCOBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VCOBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VCOBX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VCOBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
VCOBX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

RPSIX

RPSIX Risk / Return Rank: 86
RPSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
RPSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
RPSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
RPSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
RPSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

VCOBX vs. RPSIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX) and T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund (RPSIX). 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.

	VCOBX	RPSIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	2.81	-1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	4.83	-2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.63	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	3.39	-1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.56	16.21	-9.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCOBX vs. RPSIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCOBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is lower than the RPSIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCOBX and RPSIX, 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

	VCOBX	RPSIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.57	2.81	-1.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.58	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.86	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	1.50	-1.02

Drawdowns

VCOBX vs. RPSIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCOBX drawdown since its inception was -18.14%, which is greater than RPSIX's maximum drawdown of -16.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCOBX and RPSIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCOBX	RPSIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.14%	-16.73%	-1.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.62%	-2.54%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.63%	-4.92%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.03%	-16.73%	-1.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.14%	-16.73%	-1.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	0.00%	-1.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.18%	-1.69%	-2.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	0.52%	+0.36%

Volatility

VCOBX vs. RPSIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX) has a higher volatility of 1.33% compared to T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund (RPSIX) at 0.96%. This indicates that VCOBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RPSIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCOBX	RPSIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	0.96%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.66%	2.42%	+0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.68%	3.06%	+0.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.78%	4.50%	+1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.76%	4.54%	+0.22%

VCOBX vs. RPSIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCOBX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than RPSIX's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCOBX vs. RPSIX - Dividend Comparison

VCOBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.73%, less than RPSIX's 7.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RPSIX T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund	7.52%	7.45%	6.57%	4.83%	3.99%	3.92%	3.64%	3.79%	4.73%	3.91%	3.75%	4.71%
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.73%	4.80%	5.04%	4.44%	3.01%	1.23%	3.09%	3.08%	3.10%	2.20%	2.29%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCOBX and RPSIX in my portfolio?

VCOBX and RPSIX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCOBX or RPSIX?

VCOBX has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to RPSIX (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCOBX dropped -18.14% vs RPSIX's -16.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RPSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 1.57), 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.