VMGMX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

VMGMX (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VMGMX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index, while VBIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the 60% CRSP US Total Market Index / 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VMGMX returned 12.53%/yr vs 9.83%/yr for VBIAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.07% expense ratio.

Performance

VMGMX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMGMX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMGMX achieves a 8.17% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's 5.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VMGMX has outperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 12.53%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.83% annualized return.

VMGMX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 2.42%
• YTD: 8.17%
• 6M: 6.07%
• 1Y: 9.21%
• 3Y*: 15.79%
• 5Y*: 5.71%
• 10Y*: 12.53%

VBIAX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: -0.63%
• YTD: 5.69%
• 6M: 4.80%
• 1Y: 15.45%
• 3Y*: 14.09%
• 5Y*: 7.29%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

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

VMGMX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VMGMX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	8.17%	10.69%	15.65%	23.93%	-28.84%	20.48%	34.45%	33.85%	-5.61%	21.83%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.69%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	13.89%

Correlation

The correlation between VMGMX and VBIAX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2011	0.92

The correlation between VMGMX and VBIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VMGMX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMGMX

VMGMX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VMGMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
VMGMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VMGMX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VMGMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
VMGMX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

VMGMX vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMGMX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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.

	VMGMX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.51	1.85	-1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.82	2.62	-1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.34	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.54	2.65	-2.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.62	11.68	-10.07

VMGMX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMGMX Sharpe Ratio is 0.51, which is lower than the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMGMX and VBIAX, 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

VMGMX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMGMX drawdown since its inception was -37.17%, roughly equal to the maximum VBIAX drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMGMX and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMGMX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.17%	-35.90%	-1.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.95%	-5.83%	-10.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.65%	-11.70%	-9.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.17%	-21.53%	-15.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.17%	-22.78%	-14.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.78%	-1.55%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.00%	-4.44%	-2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.34%	1.32%	+4.02%

Volatility

VMGMX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMGMX) has a higher volatility of 7.07% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) at 3.33%. This indicates that VMGMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMGMX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.07%	3.33%	+3.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.77%	6.71%	+7.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.02%	8.38%	+8.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.59%	11.13%	+10.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.04%	11.23%	+9.81%

VMGMX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VMGMX and VBIAX have an expense ratio of 0.07%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VMGMX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VMGMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, less than VBIAX's 5.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.30%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%
VMGMX Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.61%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VMGMX and VBIAX in my portfolio?

VMGMX and VBIAX 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.

Which is riskier, VMGMX or VBIAX?

VMGMX has higher volatility (7.07%) compared to VBIAX (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMGMX dropped -37.17% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 0.51), 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.