VDADX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VDADX is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while VBIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the 60% CRSP US Total Market Index / 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDADX returned 13.36%/yr vs 9.89%/yr for VBIAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.07% expense ratio.

Performance

VDADX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDADX achieves a 7.47% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's 6.36% return. Over the past 10 years, VDADX has outperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 13.36%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.89% annualized return.

VDADX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 7.47%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: 18.93%
• 3Y*: 16.01%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 13.36%

VBIAX

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 6.36%
• 6M: 5.74%
• 1Y: 17.06%
• 3Y*: 14.33%
• 5Y*: 7.55%
• 10Y*: 9.89%

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

VDADX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.47%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	15.47%	29.68%	-2.06%	22.22%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	6.36%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	13.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VDADX and VBIAX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2013	0.90

The correlation between VDADX and VBIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VDADX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VDADX vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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.

	VDADX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	2.14	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	3.03	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.39	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	3.08	-0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.31	13.64	-3.33

VDADX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDADX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDADX and VBIAX, 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

VDADX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDADX drawdown since its inception was -31.70%, smaller than the maximum VBIAX drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDADX and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDADX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.70%	-35.90%	+4.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.93%	-5.83%	-2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.95%	-11.70%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.42%	-21.53%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.70%	-22.78%	-8.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	-0.93%	+0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.39%	-4.44%	+1.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.96%	1.31%	+0.65%

Volatility

VDADX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) is 2.88%, while Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) has a volatility of 3.24%. This indicates that VDADX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDADX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	3.24%	-0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.72%	6.69%	+1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.21%	8.38%	+1.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.27%	11.12%	+3.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.21%	11.25%	+4.96%

VDADX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VDADX and VBIAX have an expense ratio of 0.07%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VDADX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VDADX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, less than VBIAX's 5.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.26%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.45%	1.60%	1.71%	1.86%	1.94%	1.53%	1.61%	1.69%	2.07%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDADX and VBIAX in my portfolio?

VDADX and VBIAX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VDADX or VBIAX?

VBIAX has higher volatility (3.24%) compared to VDADX (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDADX dropped -31.70% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.99), 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.