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VFIAX vs. VBIAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VFIAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares
-7.06%17.83%24.97%26.24%-18.16%28.65%18.32%31.46%-4.45%21.78%
VBIAX
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares
-4.19%13.61%14.58%17.54%-16.90%14.21%16.40%21.78%-2.86%13.89%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFIAX achieves a -7.06% return, which is significantly lower than VBIAX's -4.19% return. Over the past 10 years, VFIAX has outperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 13.71%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.77% annualized return.


VFIAX

1D
-0.39%
1M
-7.69%
YTD
-7.06%
6M
-4.61%
1Y
14.41%
3Y*
17.14%
5Y*
11.37%
10Y*
13.71%

VBIAX

1D
-0.06%
1M
-5.43%
YTD
-4.19%
6M
-2.40%
1Y
10.89%
3Y*
11.56%
5Y*
6.33%
10Y*
8.77%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIAX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VBIAX's 0.07% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.


Return for Risk

VFIAX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFIAX
VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 4646
Overall Rank
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4545
Sortino Ratio Rank
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4141
Calmar Ratio Rank
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank

VBIAX
VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5858
Omega Ratio Rank
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5757
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
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.

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) 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.


VFIAXVBIAXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.84

1.01

-0.17

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.30

1.51

-0.21

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.20

1.22

-0.02

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.06

1.31

-0.26

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

5.13

6.22

-1.09

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is comparable to the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIAX and VBIAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.


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Sharpe Ratios by Period


VFIAXVBIAXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.84

1.01

-0.17

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.68

0.58

+0.10

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.76

0.79

-0.03

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.43

0.60

-0.17

Correlation

The correlation between VFIAX and VBIAX is 0.98, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.


Dividends

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VFIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than VBIAX's 5.84% yield.


TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VFIAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares
1.22%1.12%1.24%1.45%1.68%1.24%1.53%1.87%2.05%1.78%2.02%2.10%
VBIAX
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares
5.84%6.00%5.27%4.35%2.83%3.19%2.65%2.28%2.32%1.95%2.09%2.09%

Drawdowns

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIAX drawdown since its inception was -55.20%, which is greater than VBIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIAX and VBIAX.


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Drawdown Indicators


VFIAXVBIAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.20%

-35.90%

-19.30%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.12%

-7.78%

-4.34%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.53%

-21.53%

-3.00%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.83%

-22.78%

-11.05%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-8.90%

-5.83%

-3.07%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.46%

-4.47%

-4.99%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.49%

1.64%

+0.85%

Volatility

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a higher volatility of 4.24% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) at 3.07%. This indicates that VFIAX'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.


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Volatility by Period


VFIAXVBIAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.24%

3.07%

+1.17%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.08%

5.93%

+3.15%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.13%

11.27%

+6.86%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.86%

11.02%

+5.84%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.03%

11.17%

+6.86%