VFICX vs. VBILX
VFICX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares) and VBILX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VFICX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VBILX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, VFICX returned 2.59%/yr vs 1.79%/yr for VBILX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VFICX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VBILX.
Performance
VFICX vs. VBILX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VFICX achieves a -0.19% return, which is significantly higher than VBILX's -0.53% return. Over the past 10 years, VFICX has outperformed VBILX with an annualized return of 2.59%, while VBILX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.79% annualized return.
VFICX
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 0.42%
- YTD
- -0.19%
- 6M
- 0.33%
- 1Y
- 5.07%
- 3Y*
- 5.98%
- 5Y*
- 1.10%
- 10Y*
- 2.59%
VBILX
- 1D
- -0.29%
- 1M
- 0.47%
- YTD
- -0.53%
- 6M
- -0.08%
- 1Y
- 3.75%
- 3Y*
- 4.34%
- 5Y*
- 0.09%
- 10Y*
- 1.79%
VFICX vs. VBILX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFICX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares | -0.19% | 9.55% | 3.21% | 8.53% | -13.86% | -1.59% | 10.33% | 10.39% | -0.56% | 4.17% |
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | -0.53% | 8.57% | 1.54% | 6.09% | -13.59% | -2.36% | 9.82% | 10.20% | -0.15% | 3.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between VFICX and VBILX is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001 | 0.95 |
The correlation between VFICX and VBILX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VFICX vs. VBILX — Risk / Return Rank
VFICX
VBILX
VFICX vs. VBILX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFICX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX). 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.
| VFICX | VBILX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.17 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.60 | 1.19 | +0.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.18 | 3.31 | +1.88 |
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Drawdowns
VFICX vs. VBILX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VFICX drawdown since its inception was -20.24%, which is greater than VBILX's maximum drawdown of -19.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFICX and VBILX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VFICX | VBILX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.24% | -19.26% | -0.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.34% | -3.43% | +0.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.10% | -6.05% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.24% | -19.15% | -1.09% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.24% | -19.26% | -0.98% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.66% | -2.31% | +0.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.49% | -3.15% | +0.66% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.03% | 1.23% | -0.20% |
Volatility
VFICX vs. VBILX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares (VFICX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBILX) have volatilities of 1.33% and 1.33%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VFICX | VBILX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.33% | 1.33% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.24% | 3.12% | +0.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.26% | 4.15% | +0.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.39% | 6.39% | 0.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.20% | 5.37% | -0.17% |
VFICX vs. VBILX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VFICX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VBILX's 0.06% 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
VFICX vs. VBILX - Dividend Comparison
VFICX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.01%, more than VBILX's 4.23% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBILX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 4.23% | 4.01% | 3.80% | 3.09% | 1.99% | 3.39% | 2.94% | 2.73% | 2.87% | 2.73% | 3.06% | 3.09% |
VFICX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Investor Shares | 5.01% | 4.81% | 4.57% | 3.81% | 3.09% | 3.53% | 5.70% | 3.03% | 3.20% | 2.96% | 3.84% | 3.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, VFICX and VBILX 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.
VBILX has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to VFICX (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFICX dropped -20.24% vs VBILX's -19.26%.
VFICX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.98), 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.
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