VICBX vs. VBTLX
VICBX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VICBX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VICBX returned 3.21%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBTLX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.
Performance
VICBX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VICBX achieves a 0.39% return, which is significantly lower than VBTLX's 0.42% return. Over the past 10 years, VICBX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 3.21%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.
VICBX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.56%
- YTD
- 0.39%
- 6M
- 0.32%
- 1Y
- 6.40%
- 3Y*
- 6.25%
- 5Y*
- 1.42%
- 10Y*
- 3.21%
VBTLX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- 1Y
- 5.34%
- 3Y*
- 4.05%
- 5Y*
- 0.21%
- 10Y*
- 1.58%
VICBX vs. VBTLX - 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% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.42% | 7.17% | 1.26% | 5.74% | -13.16% | -1.81% | 7.72% | 8.73% | -0.25% | 3.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between VICBX and VBTLX is 0.91, 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 | 0.91 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.92 |
The correlation between VICBX and VBTLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VICBX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank
VICBX
VBTLX
VICBX vs. VBTLX - 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 Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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 | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.68 | 1.36 | +0.32 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.47 | 2.04 | +0.43 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.24 | +0.06 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.22 | 1.86 | +0.36 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.44 | 5.58 | +1.86 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VICBX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.68 | 1.36 | +0.32 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 | 0.04 | +0.20 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.60 | 0.32 | +0.28 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.88 | 0.76 | +0.12 |
Drawdowns
VICBX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VICBX drawdown since its inception was -20.55%, which is greater than VBTLX's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VICBX and VBTLX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VICBX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.55% | -18.81% | -1.74% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.95% | -2.89% | -0.06% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.98% | -6.00% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.55% | -18.14% | -2.41% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.55% | -18.81% | -1.74% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.14% | -2.18% | +1.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.14% | -2.67% | -0.47% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.88% | 0.96% | -0.08% |
Volatility
VICBX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VICBX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) have volatilities of 1.39% and 1.38%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VICBX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.39% | 1.38% | +0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.89% | 2.80% | +0.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.91% | 3.97% | -0.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.16% | 6.01% | +0.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.34% | 4.98% | +0.36% |
VICBX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VICBX and VBTLX have an expense ratio of 0.05%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VICBX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison
VICBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.79%, more than VBTLX's 3.98% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.98% | 3.87% | 3.69% | 3.10% | 2.59% | 1.96% | 2.39% | 2.74% | 2.57% | 2.56% | 2.53% | 2.82% |
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
With a correlation of 0.91, VICBX and VBTLX 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.
VICBX has higher volatility (1.39%) compared to VBTLX (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VICBX dropped -20.55% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.
VICBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.36), 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.
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