VDVIX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

VDVIX (Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Investor Shares) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VDVIX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US 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, VDVIX returned 10.20%/yr vs 9.58%/yr for VBIAX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VDVIX charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIAX.

Performance

VDVIX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Investor Shares (VDVIX) 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, VDVIX achieves a 13.91% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's 6.98% return. Over the past 10 years, VDVIX has outperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 10.20%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.58% annualized return.

VDVIX

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: -0.58%
• 6M: 10.29%
• YTD: 13.91%
• 1Y: 27.75%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: 9.61%
• 10Y*: 10.20%

VBIAX

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 0.94%
• 6M: 5.54%
• YTD: 6.98%
• 1Y: 14.98%
• 3Y*: 14.46%
• 5Y*: 7.27%
• 10Y*: 9.58%

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

VDVIX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDVIX Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Investor Shares	13.91%	34.96%	2.95%	17.59%	-15.41%	11.31%	10.10%	21.95%	-14.59%	26.30%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	6.98%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	13.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VDVIX and VBIAX is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2013	0.79

The correlation between VDVIX and VBIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VDVIX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDVIX

VDVIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VDVIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VDVIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VDVIX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VDVIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VDVIX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

VDVIX vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Investor Shares (VDVIX) 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.

	VDVIX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.77	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	2.51	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.32	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.53	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.72	11.09	-2.37

VDVIX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDVIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDVIX 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

VDVIX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDVIX drawdown since its inception was -35.78%, roughly equal to the maximum VBIAX drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDVIX and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDVIX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.78%	-35.90%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.71%	-5.83%	-5.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.21%	-11.70%	-1.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.85%	-21.53%	-8.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.78%	-22.78%	-13.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.22%	-0.35%	-1.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.13%	-4.43%	-2.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	1.33%	+1.76%

Volatility

VDVIX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Investor Shares (VDVIX) has a higher volatility of 6.49% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) at 2.83%. This indicates that VDVIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDVIX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.49%	2.83%	+3.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.32%	6.74%	+7.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.45%	8.36%	+8.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.17%	11.13%	+5.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.38%	11.22%	+5.16%

VDVIX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDVIX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIAX's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VDVIX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VDVIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.45%, less than VBIAX's 5.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.31%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%
VDVIX Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Investor Shares	2.45%	3.11%	3.24%	3.05%	2.78%	3.04%	1.94%	2.94%	3.22%	2.68%	2.95%	2.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDVIX and VBIAX in my portfolio?

VDVIX and VBIAX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VDVIX or VBIAX?

VDVIX has higher volatility (6.49%) compared to VBIAX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDVIX dropped -35.78% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.64), 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.