VTIIX vs. VTABX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

VTIIX (Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class) and VTABX (Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Global Bonds funds from Vanguard tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index Hedged. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VTIIX returned 0.40%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for VTABX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTIIX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VTABX.

Performance

VTIIX vs. VTABX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VTIIX having a 1.13% return and VTABX slightly lower at 1.08%.

VTIIX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 1.04%
• YTD: 1.13%
• 6M: 1.24%
• 1Y: 2.24%
• 3Y*: 4.27%
• 5Y*: 0.40%
• 10Y*: —

VTABX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 1.07%
• YTD: 1.08%
• 6M: 1.24%
• 1Y: 2.22%
• 3Y*: 4.29%
• 5Y*: 0.46%
• 10Y*: 1.80%

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

VTIIX vs. VTABX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VTIIX Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class	1.13%	2.95%	3.82%	8.72%	-13.03%	-0.52%
VTABX Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.08%	2.96%	3.92%	8.77%	-12.92%	-0.28%

Correlation

The correlation between VTIIX and VTABX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2021	0.98

The correlation between VTIIX and VTABX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTIIX vs. VTABX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTIIX

VTIIX Risk / Return Rank: 10
VTIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VTIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
VTIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VTIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
VTIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

VTABX

VTABX Risk / Return Rank: 9
VTABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
VTABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VTABX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VTABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VTABX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

VTIIX vs. VTABX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class (VTIIX) and Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTABX). 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.

	VTIIX	VTABX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	0.76	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.08	1.10	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.14	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.80	0.80	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.18	2.18	0.00

VTIIX vs. VTABX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTIIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is comparable to the VTABX Sharpe Ratio of 0.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTIIX and VTABX, 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

VTIIX vs. VTABX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTIIX drawdown since its inception was -15.95%, roughly equal to the maximum VTABX drawdown of -16.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTIIX and VTABX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTIIX	VTABX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.95%	-16.16%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.94%	-2.90%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.94%	-2.90%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.95%	-15.81%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-16.16%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-0.79%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-3.04%	-2.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	1.07%	+0.01%

Volatility

VTIIX vs. VTABX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class (VTIIX) has a higher volatility of 0.96% compared to Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTABX) at 0.90%. This indicates that VTIIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTABX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTIIX	VTABX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.96%	0.90%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.74%	2.63%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20%	3.07%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.54%	4.45%	+0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.43%	3.61%	+0.82%

VTIIX vs. VTABX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTIIX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VTABX's 0.10% 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

VTIIX vs. VTABX - Dividend Comparison

VTIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%, less than VTABX's 4.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTABX Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.44%	4.36%	4.33%	4.39%	1.48%	3.70%	1.08%	4.28%	3.00%	2.23%	1.80%	1.64%
VTIIX Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class	4.28%	4.21%	4.46%	4.16%	0.89%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTIIX and VTABX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, VTIIX and VTABX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VTIIX or VTABX?

VTIIX has higher volatility (0.96%) compared to VTABX (0.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTIIX dropped -15.95% vs VTABX's -16.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTABX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.76 vs 0.74), 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.