VFIAX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VBIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VFIAX returned 15.61%/yr vs 9.82%/yr for VBIAX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VFIAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIAX.

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.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFIAX achieves a 11.54% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's 7.20% return. Over the past 10 years, VFIAX has outperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 15.61%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.82% annualized return.

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 11.91%
• 1Y: 29.53%
• 3Y*: 22.66%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

VBIAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 3.18%
• YTD: 7.20%
• 6M: 7.44%
• 1Y: 19.67%
• 3Y*: 14.98%
• 5Y*: 7.90%
• 10Y*: 9.82%

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

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.54%	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	7.20%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	13.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIAX and VBIAX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.98

The correlation between VFIAX and VBIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFIAX	VBIAX
Technology	35.7%	33.5%
Financial Services	11.6%	12.0%
Communication Services	11.3%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.0%
Healthcare	8.5%	9.2%
Industrials	8.3%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.7%
Energy	3.5%	3.7%
Utilities	2.4%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.4%
Basic Materials	1.8%	2.0%

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: 74
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

	VFIAX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.52	+0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.59	-0.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.47	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	3.42	-0.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.82	15.64	+0.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VFIAX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	2.52	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.72	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.88	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.64	-0.17

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIAX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.20%	-35.90%	-19.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-5.83%	-3.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-11.70%	-7.05%
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.40%	-4.44%	-4.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	1.27%	+0.63%

Volatility

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a higher volatility of 2.82% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) at 2.26%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	VFIAX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	2.26%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.99%	6.12%	+2.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.88%	7.91%	+3.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	11.05%	+5.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	11.21%	+6.86%

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%.

Dividends

VFIAX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VFIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than VBIAX's 5.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.22%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFIAX and VBIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, VFIAX and VBIAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VFIAX or VBIAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to VBIAX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIAX dropped -55.20% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.52), 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.