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VDBA.AX vs. VAF.AX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VDBA.AX vs. VAF.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

VDBA.AX (Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF) and VAF.AX (Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDBA.AX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Balanced Composite Index, while VAF.AX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VDBA.AX returned 4.15%/yr vs -0.70%/yr for VAF.AX. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VDBA.AX vs. VAF.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF (VDBA.AX) and Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (VAF.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDBA.AX achieves a 2.77% return, which is significantly higher than VAF.AX's 0.68% return.

VDBA.AX

1D
0.12%
1M
0.01%
6M
2.53%
YTD
2.77%
1Y
7.42%
3Y*
8.49%
5Y*
4.15%
10Y*
—

VAF.AX

1D
0.07%
1M
0.00%
6M
1.33%
YTD
0.68%
1Y
0.69%
3Y*
2.84%
5Y*
-0.70%
10Y*
1.05%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VDBA.AX vs. VAF.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VDBA.AX
Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF		2.77%8.27%9.98%10.30%-11.15%6.77%5.21%16.12%-0.34%0.78%
VAF.AX
Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF		0.68%3.33%1.52%4.67%-10.66%-3.03%4.31%6.98%3.70%-0.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VDBA.AX and VAF.AX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.45

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.45

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.46

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2017

0.30

The correlation between VDBA.AX and VAF.AX shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (all time) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF

Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF

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Return for Risk

VDBA.AX vs. VAF.AX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VDBA.AX
VDBA.AX Risk / Return Rank: 3838
Overall Rank
VDBA.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3838
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDBA.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4040
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDBA.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 4040
Omega Ratio Rank
VDBA.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3434
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDBA.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 4040
Martin Ratio Rank
VAF.AX
VAF.AX Risk / Return Rank: 1111
Overall Rank
VAF.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1313
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VAF.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1111
Sortino Ratio Rank
VAF.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 1111
Omega Ratio Rank
VAF.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1111
Calmar Ratio Rank
VAF.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 1111
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VDBA.AX vs. VAF.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF (VDBA.AX) and Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (VAF.AX). 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.

VDBA.AXVAF.AXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.14
0.21

+0.93

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.75
0.32

+1.43

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.22

1.04

+0.18

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.44

0.17

+1.27

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.20

0.34

+4.86

VDBA.AX vs. VAF.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDBA.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is higher than the VAF.AX Sharpe Ratio of 0.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDBA.AX and VAF.AX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VDBA.AX vs. VAF.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDBA.AX drawdown since its inception was -18.31%, which is greater than VAF.AX's maximum drawdown of -16.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDBA.AX and VAF.AX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VDBA.AXVAF.AXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-18.31%

-16.26%

-2.05%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.20%

-4.47%

-0.73%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-7.04%

-4.47%

-2.57%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.06%

-15.63%

+0.57%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-16.26%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.38%

-5.19%

+4.81%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.17%

-4.17%

+1.00%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.46%

2.31%

-0.85%

Volatility

VDBA.AX vs. VAF.AX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF (VDBA.AX) has a higher volatility of 1.16% compared to Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (VAF.AX) at 0.61%. This indicates that VDBA.AX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VAF.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VDBA.AXVAF.AXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.16%

0.61%

+0.55%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

5.68%

2.82%

+2.86%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

6.59%

3.66%

+2.93%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

7.07%

4.90%

+2.17%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

7.80%

4.29%

+3.51%

Dividends

VDBA.AX vs. VAF.AX - Dividend Comparison

VDBA.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.70%, more than VAF.AX's 2.30% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VAF.AX
Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF		2.30%3.08%1.29%0.96%0.41%2.41%3.24%2.49%1.95%2.01%3.69%2.90%
VDBA.AX
Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF		4.70%2.21%1.32%1.28%2.83%7.07%4.71%1.72%0.96%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

VDBA.AX and VAF.AX have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VDBA.AX is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while VAF.AX is Total Bond Market. VDBA.AX tracks Balanced Composite Index, while VAF.AX tracks Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index Index.

Portfolio Optimizer

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