VIITX vs. MFHQX
VIITX (Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund) and MFHQX (BlackRock Total Return Fund) are both mutual funds - VIITX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by Vanguard, while MFHQX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, VIITX returned 2.01%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for MFHQX. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VIITX charges 0.02%/yr vs 1.45%/yr for MFHQX.
Performance
VIITX vs. MFHQX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIITX achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly higher than MFHQX's -1.24% return. Over the past 10 years, VIITX has outperformed MFHQX with an annualized return of 2.01%, while MFHQX has yielded a comparatively lower 0.70% annualized return.
VIITX
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- -0.52%
- 6M
- 0.00%
- YTD
- 0.24%
- 1Y
- 2.81%
- 3Y*
- 4.92%
- 5Y*
- 1.32%
- 10Y*
- 2.01%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.21%
MFHQX
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- -1.72%
- 6M
- -1.51%
- YTD
- -1.24%
- 1Y
- 1.31%
- 3Y*
- 2.91%
- 5Y*
- -1.41%
- 10Y*
- 0.70%
- ALL TIME*
- 1.80%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VIITX vs. MFHQX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIITX Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund | 0.24% | 7.23% | 3.67% | 5.31% | -7.99% | -1.02% | 6.17% | 6.44% | 0.87% | 2.00% |
MFHQX BlackRock Total Return Fund | -1.24% | 7.16% | 0.09% | 4.60% | -15.06% | -1.65% | 7.85% | 8.74% | -1.86% | 3.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIITX and MFHQX is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.87 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.92 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2015 | 0.90 |
The correlation between VIITX and MFHQX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VIITX vs. MFHQX — Risk / Return Rank
VIITX
MFHQX
VIITX vs. MFHQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund (VIITX) and BlackRock Total Return Fund (MFHQX). 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.
| VIITX | MFHQX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.90 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.34 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.09 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.82 | 0.50 | +1.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.07 | 1.04 | +4.02 |
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Drawdowns
VIITX vs. MFHQX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIITX drawdown since its inception was -11.86%, smaller than the maximum MFHQX drawdown of -20.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIITX and MFHQX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIITX | MFHQX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -11.86% | -20.45% | +8.59% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.89% | -4.31% | +2.42% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.89% | -5.97% | +3.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -11.71% | -20.21% | +8.50% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -11.86% | -20.31% | +8.45% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.18% | -7.44% | +6.26% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.11% | -4.26% | +2.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.68% | 2.04% | -1.36% |
Volatility
VIITX vs. MFHQX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund (VIITX) is 0.72%, while BlackRock Total Return Fund (MFHQX) has a volatility of 1.09%. This indicates that VIITX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MFHQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VIITX | MFHQX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.72% | 1.09% | -0.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.04% | 3.71% | -1.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.51% | 4.55% | -2.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.87% | 6.28% | -2.41% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.07% | 5.11% | -2.04% |
VIITX vs. MFHQX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIITX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than MFHQX's 1.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
VIITX vs. MFHQX - Dividend Comparison
VIITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.20%, more than MFHQX's 3.42% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MFHQX BlackRock Total Return Fund | 3.42% | 3.83% | 3.28% | 2.85% | 1.95% | 1.50% | 5.22% | 2.20% | 2.33% | 1.99% | 1.82% | 2.40% |
VIITX Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund | 4.20% | 4.51% | 4.71% | 3.61% | 2.14% | 2.20% | 2.87% | 2.69% | 2.62% | 2.04% | 2.95% | 0.57% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VIITX and MFHQX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MFHQX has higher volatility (1.09%) compared to VIITX (0.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIITX dropped -11.86% vs MFHQX's -20.45%.
VIITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 0.47), 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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