VTI vs. BIV
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market 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, VTI returned 15.23%/yr vs 1.88%/yr for BIV. At a correlation of -0.16, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VTI vs. BIV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 11.46% return, which is significantly higher than BIV's 0.05% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed BIV with an annualized return of 15.23%, while BIV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.88% annualized return.
VTI
- 1D
- 1.68%
- 1M
- 2.70%
- YTD
- 11.46%
- 6M
- 11.76%
- 1Y
- 28.40%
- 3Y*
- 20.94%
- 5Y*
- 12.71%
- 10Y*
- 15.23%
BIV
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 1.03%
- YTD
- 0.05%
- 6M
- 0.33%
- 1Y
- 4.72%
- 3Y*
- 4.48%
- 5Y*
- 0.35%
- 10Y*
- 1.88%
VTI vs. BIV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 11.46% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.07% | -13.21% | -2.40% | 9.67% | 10.34% | -0.19% | 3.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTI and BIV is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.04 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007 | -0.16 |
The correlation between VTI and BIV shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VTI vs. BIV — Risk / Return Rank
VTI
BIV
VTI vs. BIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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.
| VTI | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.26 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.21 | +0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.20 | 1.49 | +1.71 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.35 | 4.27 | +10.08 |
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Drawdowns
VTI vs. BIV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than BIV's maximum drawdown of -18.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and BIV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTI | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.45% | -18.95% | -36.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.92% | -3.18% | -5.74% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -6.07% | -13.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.36% | -18.74% | -6.62% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.00% | -18.95% | -16.05% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.49% | -1.75% | +1.26% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.02% | -3.39% | -4.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.98% | 1.11% | +0.87% |
Volatility
VTI vs. BIV - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a higher volatility of 4.74% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) at 1.45%. This indicates that VTI'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
| VTI | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.74% | 1.45% | +3.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.94% | 2.98% | +6.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.69% | 4.01% | +8.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.49% | 6.41% | +11.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.34% | 5.51% | +12.83% |
VTI vs. BIV - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VTI and BIV have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VTI vs. BIV - Dividend Comparison
VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, 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% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.01% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTI and BIV have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VTI has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to BIV (1.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs BIV's -18.95%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.23% vs 1.88% for BIV. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. 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, VTI has performed better with a 15.23% return vs 1.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTI and BIV have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
BIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.
VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BIV is Intermediate Core Bond. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 1.18), 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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