VT vs. BIV
VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VT returned 12.93%/yr vs 1.89%/yr for BIV. At a correlation of -0.10, they often move in opposite directions. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BIV.
Performance
VT vs. BIV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VT achieves a 11.06% return, which is significantly higher than BIV's -0.06% return. Over the past 10 years, VT has outperformed BIV with an annualized return of 12.93%, while BIV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.89% annualized return.
VT
- 1D
- 0.44%
- 1M
- 1.80%
- YTD
- 11.06%
- 6M
- 11.82%
- 1Y
- 27.43%
- 3Y*
- 19.71%
- 5Y*
- 10.65%
- 10Y*
- 12.93%
BIV
- 1D
- -0.13%
- 1M
- 0.92%
- YTD
- -0.06%
- 6M
- 0.31%
- 1Y
- 4.61%
- 3Y*
- 4.62%
- 5Y*
- 0.16%
- 10Y*
- 1.89%
VT vs. BIV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 11.06% | 22.43% | 16.49% | 22.02% | -18.00% | 18.27% | 16.59% | 26.81% | -9.76% | 24.50% |
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | -0.06% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.07% | -13.21% | -2.40% | 9.67% | 10.34% | -0.19% | 3.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between VT and BIV is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2008 | -0.10 |
The correlation between VT and BIV shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (all time) to 0.38 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VT vs. BIV — Risk / Return Rank
VT
BIV
VT vs. BIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). 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.
| VT | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.87 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.19 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.68 | 1.36 | +1.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.67 | 3.90 | +7.77 |
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Drawdowns
VT vs. BIV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, which is greater than BIV's maximum drawdown of -18.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and BIV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VT | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.27% | -18.95% | -31.32% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.67% | -3.18% | -6.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.51% | -6.07% | -10.44% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.38% | -18.74% | -7.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.24% | -18.95% | -15.29% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.92% | -1.86% | -0.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.01% | -3.39% | -3.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.22% | 1.10% | +1.12% |
Volatility
VT vs. BIV - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a higher volatility of 5.26% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) at 1.45%. This indicates that VT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VT | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.26% | 1.45% | +3.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.01% | 2.98% | +8.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.38% | 4.03% | +9.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.15% | 6.41% | +9.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.27% | 5.51% | +11.76% |
VT vs. BIV - Expense Ratio Comparison
VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than BIV's 0.03% 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
VT vs. BIV - Dividend Comparison
VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than BIV's 4.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 4.21% | 4.01% | 3.79% | 3.09% | 2.41% | 3.42% | 2.95% | 2.75% | 2.88% | 2.69% | 3.01% | 3.02% |
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 1.61% | 1.82% | 1.95% | 2.08% | 2.20% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 2.32% | 2.53% | 2.11% | 2.39% | 2.45% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VT and BIV have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VT has higher volatility (5.26%) compared to BIV (1.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs BIV's -18.95%.
On 10-year performance, VT leads with 12.93% vs 1.89% for BIV. On fees, BIV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BIV has been the lower-risk option at 1.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VT has performed better with a 12.93% return vs 1.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BIV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for VT.
BIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 1.61% for VT.
VT is categorized as Global Equities, while BIV is Intermediate Core Bond. VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index, while BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VT and 0.03% for BIV.
VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.07), 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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