VTABX vs. VBIRX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTABX (Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VTABX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index Hedged, while VBIRX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTABX returned 1.77%/yr vs 1.91%/yr for VBIRX. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTABX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIRX.

Performance

VTABX vs. VBIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTABX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTABX achieves a 0.56% return, which is significantly higher than VBIRX's 0.30% return. Over the past 10 years, VTABX has underperformed VBIRX with an annualized return of 1.77%, while VBIRX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.91% annualized return.

VTABX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 0.56%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 1.74%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 0.30%
• 10Y*: 1.77%

VBIRX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 0.30%
• 6M: 0.83%
• 1Y: 3.74%
• 3Y*: 4.45%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 1.91%

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

VTABX vs. VBIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTABX Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.56%	2.96%	3.92%	8.77%	-12.92%	-2.22%	4.54%	8.83%	2.97%	2.39%
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.30%	6.09%	3.75%	4.87%	-5.63%	-1.20%	4.69%	4.86%	1.37%	1.18%

Correlation

The correlation between VTABX and VBIRX is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2013	0.57

The correlation between VTABX and VBIRX shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTABX vs. VBIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTABX

VTABX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VTABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VTABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VTABX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
VTABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
VTABX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

VBIRX

VBIRX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VBIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VBIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VBIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VBIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VBIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

VTABX vs. VBIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTABX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX). 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.

	VTABX	VBIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	1.66	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	2.81	-1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.33	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	2.43	-1.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.84	7.64	-5.80

VTABX vs. VBIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTABX Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the VBIRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTABX and VBIRX, 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

VTABX vs. VBIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTABX drawdown since its inception was -16.16%, which is greater than VBIRX's maximum drawdown of -8.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTABX and VBIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTABX	VBIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.16%	-8.69%	-7.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.90%	-1.54%	-1.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.90%	-1.55%	-1.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.81%	-8.64%	-7.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.16%	-8.69%	-7.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.30%	-0.63%	-0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.04%	-0.99%	-2.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.06%	0.49%	+0.57%

Volatility

VTABX vs. VBIRX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTABX) has a higher volatility of 1.27% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIRX) at 0.72%. This indicates that VTABX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTABX	VBIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.27%	0.72%	+0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.61%	1.61%	+1.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.08%	2.26%	+0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.45%	2.97%	+1.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.62%	2.40%	+1.22%

VTABX vs. VBIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTABX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIRX'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

VTABX vs. VBIRX - Dividend Comparison

VTABX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, more than VBIRX's 3.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBIRX Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.99%	3.83%	3.37%	2.41%	1.46%	1.22%	1.77%	2.24%	2.03%	1.66%	1.50%	1.41%
VTABX Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.46%	4.36%	4.33%	4.39%	1.48%	3.70%	1.08%	4.28%	3.00%	2.23%	1.80%	1.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTABX and VBIRX in my portfolio?

VTABX and VBIRX have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTABX or VBIRX?

VTABX has higher volatility (1.27%) compared to VBIRX (0.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTABX dropped -16.16% vs VBIRX's -8.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 0.64), 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.