VICSX vs. PBBBX
VICSX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and PBBBX (PIA BBB Bond Fund) are both Corporate Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, VICSX returned 2.76%/yr vs 2.56%/yr for PBBBX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VICSX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PBBBX.
Performance
VICSX vs. PBBBX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VICSX achieves a -0.01% return, which is significantly higher than PBBBX's -0.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VICSX has outperformed PBBBX with an annualized return of 2.76%, while PBBBX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.56% annualized return.
VICSX
- 1D
- -0.14%
- 1M
- -0.28%
- 6M
- -0.05%
- YTD
- -0.01%
- 1Y
- 4.65%
- 3Y*
- 6.37%
- 5Y*
- 0.99%
- 10Y*
- 2.76%
PBBBX
- 1D
- -0.23%
- 1M
- -0.48%
- 6M
- -0.11%
- YTD
- -0.11%
- 1Y
- 4.31%
- 3Y*
- 5.59%
- 5Y*
- 0.15%
- 10Y*
- 2.56%
VICSX vs. PBBBX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | -0.01% | 9.36% | 3.66% | 8.88% | -14.09% | -1.56% | 9.52% | 13.99% | -1.73% | 5.47% |
PBBBX PIA BBB Bond Fund | -0.11% | 8.14% | 2.41% | 9.19% | -16.35% | -1.20% | 9.37% | 16.49% | -3.02% | 7.16% |
Correlation
The correlation between VICSX and PBBBX is 0.90, 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 | 0.90 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009 | 0.91 |
The correlation between VICSX and PBBBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VICSX vs. PBBBX — Risk / Return Rank
VICSX
PBBBX
VICSX vs. PBBBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX) and PIA BBB Bond Fund (PBBBX). 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.
| VICSX | PBBBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.17 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.42 | 1.16 | +0.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.36 | 3.42 | +0.94 |
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Drawdowns
VICSX vs. PBBBX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VICSX drawdown since its inception was -20.53%, smaller than the maximum PBBBX drawdown of -23.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VICSX and PBBBX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VICSX | PBBBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.53% | -23.00% | +2.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.98% | -3.30% | +0.32% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.02% | -6.39% | +0.37% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.53% | -23.00% | +2.47% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.53% | -23.00% | +2.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.53% | -1.72% | +0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.15% | -3.48% | +0.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.97% | 1.12% | -0.15% |
Volatility
VICSX vs. PBBBX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX) has a higher volatility of 1.25% compared to PIA BBB Bond Fund (PBBBX) at 1.12%. This indicates that VICSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBBBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VICSX | PBBBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.25% | 1.12% | +0.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.06% | 3.18% | -0.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.90% | 4.09% | -0.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.17% | 6.67% | -0.50% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.34% | 6.02% | -0.68% |
VICSX vs. PBBBX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VICSX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than PBBBX's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VICSX vs. PBBBX - Dividend Comparison
VICSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.81%, more than PBBBX's 3.81% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PBBBX PIA BBB Bond Fund | 3.81% | 4.02% | 3.82% | 3.57% | 3.24% | 2.85% | 3.16% | 3.78% | 4.20% | 3.75% | 3.95% | 4.12% |
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 4.81% | 4.59% | 4.77% | 3.70% | 3.00% | 2.76% | 2.77% | 3.35% | 3.62% | 3.22% | 3.03% | 3.36% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.90, VICSX and PBBBX 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.
VICSX has higher volatility (1.25%) compared to PBBBX (1.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VICSX dropped -20.53% vs PBBBX's -23.00%.
VICSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs 0.94), 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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