VTWNX vs. VEMBX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

VTWNX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund) and VEMBX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - VTWNX is a Target Retirement Date fund tracking the Target Retirement 2020 Composite Index, while VEMBX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VTWNX returned 4.47%/yr vs 4.26%/yr for VEMBX. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VTWNX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for VEMBX.

Performance

VTWNX vs. VEMBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund (VTWNX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares (VEMBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTWNX achieves a 4.63% return, which is significantly higher than VEMBX's 3.20% return.

VTWNX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.24%
• 6M: 3.38%
• YTD: 4.63%
• 1Y: 10.55%
• 3Y*: 10.12%
• 5Y*: 4.47%
• 10Y*: 6.58%

VEMBX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.21%
• 6M: 3.20%
• YTD: 3.20%
• 1Y: 11.34%
• 3Y*: 11.22%
• 5Y*: 4.26%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTWNX vs. VEMBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTWNX Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund	4.63%	12.17%	7.57%	12.71%	-14.17%	8.15%	12.05%	17.64%	-4.23%	11.83%
VEMBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares	3.20%	14.32%	7.38%	13.66%	-13.18%	-1.53%	14.99%	17.72%	-0.89%	13.12%

Correlation

The correlation between VTWNX and VEMBX is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.50

The correlation between VTWNX and VEMBX shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (all time) to 0.65 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTWNX vs. VEMBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTWNX

VTWNX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VTWNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VTWNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTWNX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTWNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VTWNX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

VEMBX

VEMBX Risk / Return Rank: 89
VEMBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
VEMBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VEMBX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VEMBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VEMBX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

VTWNX vs. VEMBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund (VTWNX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares (VEMBX). 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.

	VTWNX	VEMBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.59	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	4.17	-1.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.52	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	2.94	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.84	13.03	-3.19

VTWNX vs. VEMBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTWNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is lower than the VEMBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTWNX and VEMBX, 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

VTWNX vs. VEMBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTWNX drawdown since its inception was -42.16%, which is greater than VEMBX's maximum drawdown of -24.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWNX and VEMBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTWNX	VEMBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.16%	-24.36%	-17.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.43%	-3.77%	-0.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.20%	-5.56%	-0.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.38%	-24.36%	+4.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.34%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.78%	-3.83%	-0.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.85%	+0.19%

Volatility

VTWNX vs. VEMBX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund (VTWNX) has a higher volatility of 2.03% compared to Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares (VEMBX) at 1.00%. This indicates that VTWNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEMBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTWNX	VEMBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.03%	1.00%	+1.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.84%	3.66%	+1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.67%	4.28%	+1.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.45%	6.37%	+1.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.21%	6.34%	+1.87%

VTWNX vs. VEMBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTWNX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than VEMBX's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTWNX vs. VEMBX - Dividend Comparison

VTWNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.84%, more than VEMBX's 6.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEMBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares	6.01%	6.20%	6.86%	7.06%	5.43%	5.00%	4.50%	6.27%	4.81%	6.50%	0.00%	0.00%
VTWNX Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund	7.84%	8.20%	9.35%	6.20%	4.99%	19.57%	6.28%	3.54%	4.94%	0.73%	2.74%	4.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTWNX and VEMBX in my portfolio?

VTWNX and VEMBX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTWNX or VEMBX?

VTWNX has higher volatility (2.03%) compared to VEMBX (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWNX dropped -42.16% vs VEMBX's -24.36%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEMBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 1.80), 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.