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VUSFX vs. VMBIX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

VUSFX vs. VMBIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VUSFX) and Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMBIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUSFX achieves a 1.42% return, which is significantly higher than VMBIX's 0.86% return. Over the past 10 years, VUSFX has outperformed VMBIX with an annualized return of 2.71%, while VMBIX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.41% annualized return.


VUSFX

1D
0.00%
1M
0.36%
YTD
1.42%
6M
1.76%
1Y
4.51%
3Y*
5.44%
5Y*
3.50%
10Y*
2.71%

VMBIX

1D
0.04%
1M
0.47%
YTD
0.86%
6M
1.01%
1Y
7.00%
3Y*
4.71%
5Y*
0.57%
10Y*
1.41%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VUSFX vs. VMBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VUSFX
Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares
1.42%5.11%6.11%5.53%-0.38%0.08%2.10%3.39%2.10%1.37%
VMBIX
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares
0.86%8.44%1.78%4.97%-11.56%-1.30%3.77%6.19%0.88%2.38%

Correlation

The correlation between VUSFX and VMBIX is 0.56, 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

0.56

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.61

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.64

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.50

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016

0.50

The correlation between VUSFX and VMBIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (all time) to 0.64 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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Return for Risk

VUSFX vs. VMBIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUSFX
VUSFX Risk / Return Rank: 100100
Overall Rank
VUSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100100
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VUSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100100
Sortino Ratio Rank
VUSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 100100
Omega Ratio Rank
VUSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100100
Calmar Ratio Rank
VUSFX Martin Ratio Rank: 100100
Martin Ratio Rank

VMBIX
VMBIX Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
VMBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VMBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
VMBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
VMBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4949
Calmar Ratio Rank
VMBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4343
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VUSFX vs. VMBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VUSFX) and Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMBIX). 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.


VUSFXVMBIXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

+5.83

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

+12.60

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

4.69

1.34

+3.35

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

18.20

2.67

+15.53

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

108.57

9.15

+99.42

VUSFX vs. VMBIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUSFX Sharpe Ratio is 7.69, which is higher than the VMBIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUSFX and VMBIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.


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Sharpe Ratios by Period


VUSFXVMBIXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

7.69

1.86

+5.83

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

4.35

0.09

+4.26

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

4.00

0.29

+3.71

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

4.00

0.51

+3.49

Drawdowns

VUSFX vs. VMBIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUSFX drawdown since its inception was -1.71%, smaller than the maximum VMBIX drawdown of -17.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSFX and VMBIX.


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Drawdown Indicators


VUSFXVMBIXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-1.71%

-17.44%

+15.73%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-0.25%

-2.63%

+2.38%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-0.35%

-7.51%

+7.16%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-1.71%

-17.11%

+15.40%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-1.71%

-17.44%

+15.73%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-1.15%

+1.15%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.15%

-2.51%

+2.36%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.04%

0.77%

-0.73%

Volatility

VUSFX vs. VMBIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VUSFX) is 0.13%, while Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMBIX) has a volatility of 1.47%. This indicates that VUSFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VMBIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


VUSFXVMBIXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.13%

1.47%

-1.34%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

0.41%

2.77%

-2.36%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.59%

3.80%

-3.21%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

0.81%

6.37%

-5.56%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

0.68%

4.79%

-4.11%

VUSFX vs. VMBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUSFX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VMBIX's 0.05% 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

VUSFX vs. VMBIX - Dividend Comparison

VUSFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, more than VMBIX's 4.18% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VMBIX
Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares
4.18%4.20%4.27%3.29%2.33%1.01%2.02%2.76%2.74%2.18%2.13%2.04%
VUSFX
Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund Admiral Shares
4.53%4.73%5.52%4.15%1.38%0.53%1.62%2.68%2.23%1.52%1.07%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions


VUSFX and VMBIX have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VMBIX has higher volatility (1.47%) compared to VUSFX (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUSFX dropped -1.71% vs VMBIX's -17.44%.

VUSFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.69 vs 1.86), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VUSFX and VMBIX

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