VMFXX vs. BIL

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

VMFXX (Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund) and BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) are both funds - VMFXX is a Money Market fund managed by Vanguard, while BIL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. Over the past 5 years, VMFXX returned 2.39%/yr vs 3.43%/yr for BIL. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VMFXX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for BIL.

Performance

VMFXX vs. BIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund (VMFXX) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMFXX achieves a 1.50% return, which is significantly lower than BIL's 1.60% return.

VMFXX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 1.82%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: 3.35%
• 5Y*: 2.39%
• 10Y*: —

BIL

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 1.60%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 3.85%
• 3Y*: 4.60%
• 5Y*: 3.43%
• 10Y*: 2.20%

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

VMFXX vs. BIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VMFXX Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund	1.50%	4.24%	1.64%	4.64%	0.00%	0.00%
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	1.60%	4.15%	5.19%	4.94%	1.40%	-0.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VMFXX and BIL is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2021	0.03

Return for Risk

VMFXX vs. BIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMFXX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

BIL

BIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
BIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

VMFXX vs. BIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund (VMFXX) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). 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.

	VMFXX	BIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.67	19.55	-15.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	173.16	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	87.41	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	353.28	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	2,801.31	—

VMFXX vs. BIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMFXX Sharpe Ratio is 3.67, which is lower than the BIL Sharpe Ratio of 19.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMFXX and BIL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VMFXX vs. BIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMFXX drawdown since its inception was 0.00%, smaller than the maximum BIL drawdown of -0.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMFXX and BIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMFXX	BIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-0.78%	+0.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	0.00%	-0.01%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	0.00%	-0.01%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	0.00%	-0.09%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-0.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-0.26%	+0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Volatility

VMFXX vs. BIL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund (VMFXX) has a higher volatility of 0.30% compared to SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) at 0.06%. This indicates that VMFXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMFXX	BIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.30%	0.06%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.72%	0.14%	+0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.12%	0.20%	+0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.94%	0.26%	+0.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.94%	0.26%	+0.68%

VMFXX vs. BIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMFXX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than BIL's 0.14% 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

VMFXX vs. BIL - Dividend Comparison

VMFXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, which matches BIL's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	3.86%	4.13%	5.03%	4.92%	1.35%	0.00%	0.30%	2.05%	1.66%	0.68%	0.07%
VMFXX Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund	3.87%	4.14%	1.63%	4.53%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VMFXX and BIL in my portfolio?

VMFXX and BIL have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VMFXX or BIL?

VMFXX has higher volatility (0.30%) compared to BIL (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMFXX dropped 0.00% vs BIL's -0.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (19.55 vs 3.67), 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.