VTWAX vs. BIL

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VTWAX (Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) are both funds - VTWAX is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while BIL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VTWAX returned 10.51%/yr vs 3.43%/yr for BIL. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. VTWAX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for BIL.

Performance

VTWAX vs. BIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTWAX achieves a 10.38% return, which is significantly higher than BIL's 1.60% return.

VTWAX

• 1D: 2.34%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 10.38%
• 6M: 11.15%
• 1Y: 26.61%
• 3Y*: 19.75%
• 5Y*: 10.51%
• 10Y*: —

BIL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 1.60%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 3.85%
• 3Y*: 4.63%
• 5Y*: 3.43%
• 10Y*: 2.20%

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

VTWAX vs. BIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.38%	22.43%	16.43%	21.85%	-18.02%	18.17%	16.67%	17.53%
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	1.60%	4.15%	5.19%	4.94%	1.40%	-0.10%	0.40%	1.81%

Correlation

The correlation between VTWAX and BIL is -0.09, 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	-0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	-0.01

Return for Risk

VTWAX vs. BIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTWAX

VTWAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VTWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VTWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

BIL

BIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
BIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

VTWAX vs. BIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). 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.

	VTWAX	BIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	19.63	-17.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	175.17	-172.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	88.41	-87.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	357.44	-354.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.61	2,834.34	-2,822.73

VTWAX vs. BIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTWAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is lower than the BIL Sharpe Ratio of 19.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTWAX and BIL, 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

VTWAX vs. BIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTWAX drawdown since its inception was -34.20%, which is greater than BIL's maximum drawdown of -0.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWAX and BIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTWAX	BIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.20%	-0.78%	-33.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.64%	-0.01%	-9.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.43%	-0.01%	-16.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.40%	-0.09%	-26.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-0.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.45%	0.00%	-2.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.29%	-0.26%	-5.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	0.00%	+2.21%

Volatility

VTWAX vs. BIL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) has a higher volatility of 5.19% compared to SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) at 0.06%. This indicates that VTWAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTWAX	BIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.19%	0.06%	+5.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.71%	0.14%	+10.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.07%	0.20%	+12.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.82%	0.26%	+15.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.23%	0.26%	+17.97%

VTWAX vs. BIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTWAX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than BIL's 0.14% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTWAX vs. BIL - Dividend Comparison

VTWAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, less than BIL's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	3.86%	4.13%	5.03%	4.92%	1.35%	0.00%	0.30%	2.05%	1.66%	0.68%	0.07%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.59%	1.80%	1.92%	2.06%	2.17%	1.79%	1.64%	2.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTWAX and BIL in my portfolio?

VTWAX and BIL have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTWAX or BIL?

VTWAX has higher volatility (5.19%) compared to BIL (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWAX dropped -34.20% vs BIL's -0.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (19.63 vs 1.97), 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.