VMRXX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VMRXX (Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares) and VBIAX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VMRXX is a Money Market fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VBIAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the 60% CRSP US Total Market Index / 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. VMRXX is actively managed, while VBIAX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VMRXX returned 3.03%/yr vs 7.55%/yr for VBIAX. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VMRXX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIAX.

Performance

VMRXX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares (VMRXX) 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, VMRXX achieves a 1.50% return, which is significantly lower than VBIAX's 6.36% return.

VMRXX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 1.83%
• 1Y: 3.96%
• 3Y*: 4.43%
• 5Y*: 3.03%
• 10Y*: —

VBIAX

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 6.36%
• 6M: 5.74%
• 1Y: 17.06%
• 3Y*: 14.33%
• 5Y*: 7.55%
• 10Y*: 9.89%

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

VMRXX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VMRXX Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares	1.50%	4.25%	4.84%	4.65%	0.00%	0.01%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	6.36%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	7.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VMRXX and VBIAX 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	0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2021	0.04

Return for Risk

VMRXX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMRXX

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

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VMRXX vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares (VMRXX) 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.

	VMRXX	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.67	2.14	+1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.03	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.39	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.08	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	13.64	—

VMRXX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMRXX Sharpe Ratio is 3.67, which is higher than the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMRXX 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

VMRXX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMRXX drawdown since its inception was 0.00%, smaller than the maximum VBIAX drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMRXX and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMRXX	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-35.90%	+35.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	0.00%	-5.83%	+5.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	0.00%	-11.70%	+11.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	0.00%	-21.53%	+21.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.93%	+0.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-4.44%	+4.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.00%	1.31%	-1.31%

Volatility

VMRXX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares (VMRXX) is 0.30%, while Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) has a volatility of 3.24%. This indicates that VMRXX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMRXX	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.30%	3.24%	-2.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.73%	6.69%	-5.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.12%	8.38%	-7.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.08%	11.12%	-10.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.07%	11.25%	-10.18%

VMRXX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMRXX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIAX's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VMRXX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VMRXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.88%, less than VBIAX's 5.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.26%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%
VMRXX Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares	3.88%	4.15%	4.71%	4.54%	0.00%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VMRXX and VBIAX in my portfolio?

VMRXX and VBIAX 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, VMRXX or VBIAX?

VBIAX has higher volatility (3.24%) compared to VMRXX (0.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMRXX dropped 0.00% vs VBIAX's -35.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMRXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.67 vs 2.14), 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.