VLCAX vs. VBTLX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VLCAX (Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VLCAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VLCAX returned 15.63%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBTLX. At a correlation of -0.17, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.05% expense ratio.

Performance

VLCAX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLCAX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLCAX achieves a 11.30% return, which is significantly higher than VBTLX's 0.42% return. Over the past 10 years, VLCAX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 15.63%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.

VLCAX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.30%
• 6M: 11.54%
• 1Y: 29.20%
• 3Y*: 22.89%
• 5Y*: 13.77%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

VBTLX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 4.05%
• 5Y*: 0.18%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

VLCAX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLCAX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.30%	18.09%	25.10%	27.26%	-19.69%	27.02%	21.03%	31.39%	-4.49%	22.02%
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 VLCAX and VBTLX is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	-0.17

The correlation between VLCAX and VBTLX shifts across timeframes, from -0.17 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VLCAX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLCAX

VLCAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VLCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VLCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VLCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VLCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VLCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

VBTLX

VBTLX Risk / Return Rank: 20
VBTLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VBTLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VBTLX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
VBTLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VBTLX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

VLCAX vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLCAX) 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.

	VLCAX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	1.27	+1.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	1.91	+1.50
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.22	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	1.93	+1.31
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.95	5.84	+9.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLCAX vs. VBTLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLCAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the VBTLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLCAX and VBTLX, 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

	VLCAX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	1.27	+1.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.03	+0.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.32	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.76	-0.18

Drawdowns

VLCAX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLCAX drawdown since its inception was -54.76%, which is greater than VBTLX's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLCAX and VBTLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLCAX	VBTLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.76%	-18.81%	-35.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.19%	-2.89%	-6.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.01%	-6.00%	-13.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.65%	-18.14%	-7.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.97%	-18.81%	-15.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.18%	+2.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-2.67%	-4.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	0.96%	+1.04%

Volatility

VLCAX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLCAX) has a higher volatility of 2.80% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) at 1.38%. This indicates that VLCAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLCAX	VBTLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.80%	1.38%	+1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	2.80%	+6.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.95%	3.98%	+7.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.16%	6.01%	+11.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.20%	4.98%	+13.22%

VLCAX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VLCAX 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

VLCAX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison

VLCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less 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%
VLCAX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.96%	1.08%	1.23%	1.40%	1.66%	1.18%	1.45%	1.80%	2.08%	1.75%	1.98%	1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLCAX and VBTLX in my portfolio?

VLCAX and VBTLX have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLCAX or VBTLX?

VLCAX has higher volatility (2.80%) compared to VBTLX (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLCAX dropped -54.76% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VLCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.27), 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.