VGTSX vs. VBLAX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VGTSX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares) and VBLAX (Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VGTSX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VBLAX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VGTSX returned 8.38%/yr vs -3.39%/yr for VBLAX. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VGTSX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBLAX.

Performance

VGTSX vs. VBLAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGTSX achieves a 14.49% return, which is significantly higher than VBLAX's 0.25% return.

VGTSX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 2.06%
• YTD: 14.49%
• 6M: 16.75%
• 1Y: 30.88%
• 3Y*: 19.46%
• 5Y*: 8.38%
• 10Y*: 9.62%

VBLAX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 0.25%
• 6M: 0.08%
• 1Y: 6.64%
• 3Y*: 2.05%
• 5Y*: -3.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

VGTSX vs. VBLAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	14.49%	32.05%	5.30%	15.18%	-16.07%	8.58%	11.15%	13.86%
VBLAX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.25%	6.57%	-4.14%	7.55%	-27.22%	-3.36%	15.75%	16.45%

Correlation

The correlation between VGTSX and VBLAX is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.05

Over the past year, VGTSX and VBLAX have become more correlated (0.36) than their long-term average of 0.05, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VGTSX vs. VBLAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGTSX

VGTSX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VGTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VGTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VGTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VGTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VGTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

VBLAX

VBLAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
VBLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VBLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VBLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VBLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
VBLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

VGTSX vs. VBLAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX). 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.

	VGTSX	VBLAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	0.67	+1.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	1.00	+2.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.12	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	0.91	+1.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.03	2.31	+8.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGTSX vs. VBLAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGTSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is higher than the VBLAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGTSX and VBLAX, 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

	VGTSX	VBLAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	0.67	+1.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	-0.26	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.05	+0.27

Drawdowns

VGTSX vs. VBLAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGTSX drawdown since its inception was -61.48%, which is greater than VBLAX's maximum drawdown of -38.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGTSX and VBLAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGTSX	VBLAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.48%	-38.62%	-22.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-5.98%	-5.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.11%	-14.92%	+1.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.61%	-36.32%	+6.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-24.66%	+23.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.97%	-18.12%	+4.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	2.34%	+0.52%

Volatility

VGTSX vs. VBLAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) has a higher volatility of 4.80% compared to Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBLAX) at 2.46%. This indicates that VGTSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBLAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGTSX	VBLAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.80%	2.46%	+2.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.92%	5.63%	+6.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.21%	8.23%	+5.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.02%	12.88%	+2.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.92%	12.64%	+3.28%

VGTSX vs. VBLAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGTSX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than VBLAX's 0.07% 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

VGTSX vs. VBLAX - Dividend Comparison

VGTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, less than VBLAX's 4.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBLAX Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.75%	4.64%	4.61%	4.08%	4.13%	2.62%	5.39%	3.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	2.55%	3.08%	3.26%	3.16%	2.98%	2.99%	2.05%	2.98%	3.09%	2.68%	2.86%	2.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGTSX and VBLAX in my portfolio?

VGTSX and VBLAX have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGTSX or VBLAX?

VGTSX has higher volatility (4.80%) compared to VBLAX (2.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGTSX dropped -61.48% vs VBLAX's -38.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 0.67), 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.