VICBX vs. SMARX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VICBX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) and SMARX (Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust) are both Corporate Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, VICBX returned 3.21%/yr vs 3.00%/yr for SMARX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VICBX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for SMARX.

Performance

VICBX vs. SMARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VICBX) and Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust (SMARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VICBX achieves a 0.39% return, which is significantly lower than SMARX's 0.61% return. Over the past 10 years, VICBX has outperformed SMARX with an annualized return of 3.21%, while SMARX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.00% annualized return.

VICBX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 0.39%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 6.51%
• 3Y*: 6.25%
• 5Y*: 1.36%
• 10Y*: 3.21%

SMARX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 0.61%
• 6M: 0.67%
• 1Y: 5.26%
• 3Y*: 5.54%
• 5Y*: 1.90%
• 10Y*: 3.00%

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

VICBX vs. SMARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VICBX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.39%	9.37%	3.67%	8.87%	-14.06%	-1.50%	9.57%	15.96%	-1.72%	5.50%
SMARX Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust	0.61%	6.91%	3.73%	9.76%	-11.77%	0.76%	6.55%	7.77%	-1.13%	4.75%

Correlation

The correlation between VICBX and SMARX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.72

The correlation between VICBX and SMARX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (all time) to 0.89 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VICBX vs. SMARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VICBX

VICBX Risk / Return Rank: 32
VICBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VICBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VICBX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
VICBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
VICBX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

SMARX

SMARX Risk / Return Rank: 27
SMARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
SMARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
SMARX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
SMARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
SMARX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

VICBX vs. SMARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VICBX) and Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust (SMARX). 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.

	VICBX	SMARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.37	+0.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	2.07	+0.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.25	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	2.19	+0.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.49	7.63	-0.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VICBX vs. SMARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VICBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the SMARX Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VICBX and SMARX, 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

	VICBX	SMARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	1.37	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.37	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.69	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.41	+0.47

Drawdowns

VICBX vs. SMARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VICBX drawdown since its inception was -20.55%, smaller than the maximum SMARX drawdown of -47.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VICBX and SMARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VICBX	SMARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.55%	-47.07%	+26.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.95%	-2.61%	-0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.98%	-5.19%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.55%	-16.20%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.55%	-16.20%	-4.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.14%	-0.70%	-0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.14%	-6.98%	+3.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	0.75%	+0.12%

Volatility

VICBX vs. SMARX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VICBX) and Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust (SMARX) have volatilities of 1.39% and 1.35%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VICBX	SMARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	1.35%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.89%	2.87%	+0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.92%	3.75%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.16%	5.16%	+1.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.34%	4.39%	+0.95%

VICBX vs. SMARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VICBX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than SMARX's 0.00% 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

VICBX vs. SMARX - Dividend Comparison

VICBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.79%, which matches SMARX's 4.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMARX Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust	4.77%	5.02%	4.07%	3.85%	3.53%	2.57%	3.35%	4.19%	4.55%	4.20%	4.87%	5.24%
VICBX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.79%	4.61%	4.79%	3.72%	3.02%	2.82%	2.79%	5.01%	3.64%	3.23%	3.32%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VICBX and SMARX in my portfolio?

VICBX and SMARX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VICBX or SMARX?

VICBX has higher volatility (1.39%) compared to SMARX (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VICBX dropped -20.55% vs SMARX's -47.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VICBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.37), 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.