VFIIX vs. VTBNX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFIIX (Vanguard GNMA Fund Investor Shares) and VTBNX (Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund) are both Total Bond Market funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VFIIX returned 1.31%/yr vs 1.55%/yr for VTBNX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFIIX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VTBNX.

Performance

VFIIX vs. VTBNX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFIIX achieves a 0.79% return, which is significantly higher than VTBNX's 0.33% return. Over the past 10 years, VFIIX has underperformed VTBNX with an annualized return of 1.31%, while VTBNX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.55% annualized return.

VFIIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.79%
• 6M: 0.89%
• 1Y: 6.35%
• 3Y*: 4.25%
• 5Y*: 0.47%
• 10Y*: 1.31%

VTBNX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 0.33%
• 6M: 0.25%
• 1Y: 5.21%
• 3Y*: 4.01%
• 5Y*: 0.20%
• 10Y*: 1.55%

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

VFIIX vs. VTBNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFIIX Vanguard GNMA Fund Investor Shares	0.79%	7.73%	1.07%	5.17%	-10.81%	-1.24%	3.73%	5.84%	0.89%	1.88%
VTBNX Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund	0.33%	7.18%	1.32%	5.68%	-13.12%	-1.82%	7.39%	8.71%	-0.27%	3.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIIX and VTBNX is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2016	0.86

The correlation between VFIIX and VTBNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFIIX vs. VTBNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFIIX

VFIIX Risk / Return Rank: 32
VFIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VFIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VFIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VFIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VFIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

VTBNX

VTBNX Risk / Return Rank: 22
VTBNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
VTBNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VTBNX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
VTBNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VTBNX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

VFIIX vs. VTBNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard GNMA Fund Investor Shares (VFIIX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund (VTBNX). 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.

	VFIIX	VTBNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.34	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.03	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.23	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.25	1.85	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.47	5.53	+1.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFIIX vs. VTBNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the VTBNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIIX and VTBNX, 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

	VFIIX	VTBNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	1.34	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	0.03	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.32	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.38	+0.26

Drawdowns

VFIIX vs. VTBNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIIX drawdown since its inception was -25.80%, which is greater than VTBNX's maximum drawdown of -18.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIIX and VTBNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIIX	VTBNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.80%	-18.71%	-7.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.83%	-2.83%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.97%	-5.97%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.79%	-18.05%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.20%	-18.71%	+2.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.38%	-2.21%	+0.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.98%	-4.87%	+1.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	0.95%	-0.10%

Volatility

VFIIX vs. VTBNX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard GNMA Fund Investor Shares (VFIIX) has a higher volatility of 1.54% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund (VTBNX) at 1.33%. This indicates that VFIIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTBNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFIIX	VTBNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.54%	1.33%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.94%	2.81%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.01%	3.93%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.21%	5.96%	+0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.70%	4.93%	-0.23%

VFIIX vs. VTBNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIIX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is higher than VTBNX's 0.02% 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

VFIIX vs. VTBNX - Dividend Comparison

VFIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.69%, less than VTBNX's 4.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFIIX Vanguard GNMA Fund Investor Shares	3.69%	3.62%	3.58%	3.23%	2.34%	0.63%	1.87%	2.76%	2.90%	2.64%	3.01%	2.84%
VTBNX Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund	4.06%	3.95%	3.77%	3.13%	2.54%	1.82%	3.12%	2.79%	2.56%	2.52%	2.55%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFIIX and VTBNX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VFIIX and VTBNX 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, VFIIX or VTBNX?

VFIIX has higher volatility (1.54%) compared to VTBNX (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIIX dropped -25.80% vs VTBNX's -18.71%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 1.34), 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.