VFAIX vs. VBTLX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Financials 25/50 Index, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFAIX returned 13.53%/yr vs 1.50%/yr for VBTLX. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. VFAIX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBTLX.

Performance

VFAIX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFAIX achieves a -0.70% return, which is significantly lower than VBTLX's 0.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VFAIX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 13.53%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.50% annualized return.

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 3.73%
• YTD: -0.70%
• 6M: -2.07%
• 1Y: 8.46%
• 3Y*: 20.82%
• 5Y*: 10.43%
• 10Y*: 13.53%

VBTLX

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 0.11%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 4.14%
• 3Y*: 3.94%
• 5Y*: 0.02%
• 10Y*: 1.50%

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

VFAIX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.70%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.11%	7.17%	1.26%	5.74%	-13.16%	-1.81%	7.72%	8.73%	-0.25%	3.56%

Correlation

The correlation between VFAIX and VBTLX is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	-0.22

The correlation between VFAIX and VBTLX shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (all time) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VFAIX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 7

VBTLX

VBTLX Risk / Return Rank: 18
VBTLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VBTLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VBTLX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VBTLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
VBTLX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

VFAIX vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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.

	VFAIX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	1.12	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	1.68	-0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.20	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	1.51	-0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.74	4.28	-2.55

VFAIX vs. VBTLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFAIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the VBTLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFAIX and VBTLX, 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

VFAIX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFAIX drawdown since its inception was -78.64%, which is greater than VBTLX's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFAIX and VBTLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFAIX	VBTLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.64%	-18.81%	-59.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.72%	-2.89%	-11.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.31%	-6.00%	-11.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.71%	-18.14%	-7.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.37%	-18.81%	-25.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.73%	-2.48%	-1.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.57%	-2.67%	-15.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.66%	1.02%	+4.64%

Volatility

VFAIX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) has a higher volatility of 4.21% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) at 1.17%. This indicates that VFAIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFAIX	VBTLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	1.17%	+3.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.38%	2.88%	+8.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.96%	3.92%	+11.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.29%	6.01%	+13.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.62%	4.99%	+17.63%

VFAIX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFAIX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.04% 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

VFAIX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison

VFAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, less than VBTLX's 3.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.99%	3.87%	3.69%	3.10%	2.59%	1.96%	2.39%	2.74%	2.57%	2.56%	2.53%	2.82%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.47%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFAIX and VBTLX in my portfolio?

VFAIX and VBTLX have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFAIX or VBTLX?

VFAIX has higher volatility (4.21%) compared to VBTLX (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFAIX dropped -78.64% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBTLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.12 vs 0.66), 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.