VFINX vs. BIL

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VFINX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares) and BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) are both funds - VFINX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while BIL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFINX returned 15.29%/yr vs 2.20%/yr for BIL. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.14% expense ratio.

Performance

VFINX vs. BIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFINX achieves a 8.53% return, which is significantly higher than BIL's 1.60% return. Over the past 10 years, VFINX has outperformed BIL with an annualized return of 15.29%, while BIL has yielded a comparatively lower 2.20% annualized return.

VFINX

• 1D: 1.75%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 8.53%
• 6M: 8.87%
• 1Y: 25.02%
• 3Y*: 20.91%
• 5Y*: 13.19%
• 10Y*: 15.29%

BIL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 1.60%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 3.85%
• 3Y*: 4.63%
• 5Y*: 3.43%
• 10Y*: 2.20%

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

VFINX vs. BIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	8.53%	17.71%	24.84%	26.12%	-18.24%	28.53%	18.20%	31.33%	-4.55%	21.66%
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	1.60%	4.15%	5.19%	4.94%	1.40%	-0.10%	0.40%	2.03%	1.74%	0.69%

Correlation

The correlation between VFINX and BIL is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.05
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2007	-0.02

Return for Risk

VFINX vs. BIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFINX

VFINX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VFINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VFINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFINX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VFINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VFINX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

BIL

BIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
BIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

VFINX vs. BIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). 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.

	VFINX	BIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	19.63	-17.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	175.17	-172.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	88.41	-87.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	357.44	-354.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.34	2,834.34	-2,822.00

VFINX vs. BIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFINX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is lower than the BIL Sharpe Ratio of 19.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFINX and BIL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VFINX vs. BIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFINX drawdown since its inception was -55.25%, which is greater than BIL's maximum drawdown of -0.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFINX and BIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFINX	BIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.25%	-0.78%	-54.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-0.01%	-8.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-0.01%	-18.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.59%	-0.09%	-24.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.83%	-0.21%	-33.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.79%	0.00%	-2.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.28%	-0.26%	-8.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.96%	0.00%	+1.96%

Volatility

VFINX vs. BIL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) has a higher volatility of 4.43% compared to SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) at 0.06%. This indicates that VFINX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFINX	BIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	0.06%	+4.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.70%	0.14%	+9.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.37%	0.20%	+12.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.97%	0.26%	+16.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.10%	0.26%	+17.84%

VFINX vs. BIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VFINX and BIL have an expense ratio of 0.14%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFINX vs. BIL - Dividend Comparison

VFINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than BIL's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	3.86%	4.13%	5.03%	4.92%	1.35%	0.00%	0.30%	2.05%	1.66%	0.68%	0.07%	0.00%
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	0.95%	1.02%	1.14%	1.36%	1.57%	1.15%	1.45%	1.77%	1.94%	1.69%	1.92%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFINX and BIL in my portfolio?

VFINX and BIL have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFINX or BIL?

VFINX has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to BIL (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFINX dropped -55.25% vs BIL's -0.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (19.63 vs 1.96), 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.