VFIDX vs. NOCBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFIDX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares) and NOCBX (Northern Core Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - VFIDX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while NOCBX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Northern Funds. Over the past 10 years, VFIDX returned 2.79%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for NOCBX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFIDX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for NOCBX.

Performance

VFIDX vs. NOCBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFIDX) and Northern Core Bond Fund (NOCBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFIDX achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly higher than NOCBX's -0.01% return. Over the past 10 years, VFIDX has outperformed NOCBX with an annualized return of 2.79%, while NOCBX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.20% annualized return.

VFIDX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 6.64%
• 3Y*: 6.17%
• 5Y*: 1.43%
• 10Y*: 2.79%

NOCBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: -0.01%
• 6M: -0.07%
• 1Y: 5.04%
• 3Y*: 3.36%
• 5Y*: -0.53%
• 10Y*: 1.20%

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

VFIDX vs. NOCBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFIDX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	0.42%	9.67%	3.29%	8.63%	-13.77%	-1.51%	10.44%	10.50%	-0.44%	4.28%
NOCBX Northern Core Bond Fund	-0.01%	6.17%	1.10%	5.07%	-14.51%	-1.62%	7.32%	9.76%	-1.03%	4.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIDX and NOCBX is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2001	0.87

The correlation between VFIDX and NOCBX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.90 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VFIDX vs. NOCBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFIDX

VFIDX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VFIDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VFIDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
VFIDX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VFIDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VFIDX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

NOCBX

NOCBX Risk / Return Rank: 20
NOCBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
NOCBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
NOCBX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
NOCBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
NOCBX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

VFIDX vs. NOCBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFIDX) and Northern Core Bond Fund (NOCBX). 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.

	VFIDX	NOCBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	1.29	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.03	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.24	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	1.61	+0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.00	4.86	+2.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFIDX vs. NOCBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the NOCBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIDX and NOCBX, 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

	VFIDX	NOCBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59	1.29	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	-0.09	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.24	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.70	+0.18

Drawdowns

VFIDX vs. NOCBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIDX drawdown since its inception was -20.14%, roughly equal to the maximum NOCBX drawdown of -20.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIDX and NOCBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIDX	NOCBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.14%	-20.02%	-0.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.34%	-3.17%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.08%	-6.61%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.14%	-19.95%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.14%	-20.02%	-0.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-5.17%	+4.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.60%	-2.92%	+0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	1.05%	-0.08%

Volatility

VFIDX vs. NOCBX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VFIDX) has a higher volatility of 1.56% compared to Northern Core Bond Fund (NOCBX) at 1.46%. This indicates that VFIDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NOCBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFIDX	NOCBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.56%	1.46%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.12%	2.93%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.29%	3.98%	+0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.39%	6.12%	+0.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.20%	5.07%	+0.13%

VFIDX vs. NOCBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIDX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than NOCBX's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFIDX vs. NOCBX - Dividend Comparison

VFIDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.09%, more than NOCBX's 4.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NOCBX Northern Core Bond Fund	4.04%	3.14%	3.82%	2.99%	1.66%	1.56%	3.58%	2.75%	3.16%	2.88%	2.05%	3.09%
VFIDX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	5.09%	4.91%	4.65%	3.90%	3.20%	3.61%	5.80%	3.13%	3.32%	3.06%	3.94%	3.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFIDX and NOCBX in my portfolio?

VFIDX and NOCBX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFIDX or NOCBX?

VFIDX has higher volatility (1.56%) compared to NOCBX (1.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIDX dropped -20.14% vs NOCBX's -20.02%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.29), 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.