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VWENX vs. VBTLX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

VWENX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWENX achieves a 6.44% return, which is significantly higher than VBTLX's 0.21% return. Over the past 10 years, VWENX has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 10.21%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.56% annualized return.


VWENX

1D
-0.67%
1M
2.72%
YTD
6.44%
6M
6.71%
1Y
20.00%
3Y*
15.44%
5Y*
8.77%
10Y*
10.21%

VBTLX

1D
-0.21%
1M
0.13%
YTD
0.21%
6M
0.34%
1Y
4.47%
3Y*
3.97%
5Y*
0.10%
10Y*
1.56%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VWENX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VWENX
Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares
6.44%16.63%14.82%14.40%-14.31%19.09%10.66%22.61%-3.35%14.05%
VBTLX
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares
0.21%7.17%1.26%5.74%-13.16%-1.81%7.72%8.73%-0.25%3.56%

Correlation

The correlation between VWENX and VBTLX is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.


Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.35

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

0.35

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

0.30

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

0.12

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001

-0.04

The correlation between VWENX and VBTLX shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (all time) to 0.35 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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Return for Risk

VWENX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWENX
VWENX Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
VWENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VWENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
VWENX Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
VWENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
VWENX Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank

VBTLX
VBTLX Risk / Return Rank: 2121
Overall Rank
VBTLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2020
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBTLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2121
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBTLX Omega Ratio Rank: 1919
Omega Ratio Rank
VBTLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2323
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBTLX Martin Ratio Rank: 2020
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.

VWENX vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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.


VWENXVBTLXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

+1.13

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

+1.46

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.45

1.23

+0.22

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.02

1.78

+1.24

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.99

5.33

+8.66

VWENX vs. VBTLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWENX Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is higher than the VBTLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWENX and VBTLX, 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


VWENXVBTLXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.43

1.30

+1.13

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.79

0.02

+0.78

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.89

0.31

+0.57

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.68

0.76

-0.08

Drawdowns

VWENX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWENX drawdown since its inception was -36.02%, which is greater than VBTLX's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWENX and VBTLX.


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Drawdown Indicators


VWENXVBTLXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-36.02%

-18.81%

-17.21%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.77%

-2.89%

-3.88%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-11.98%

-6.00%

-5.98%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.84%

-18.14%

-2.70%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-25.33%

-18.81%

-6.52%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.67%

-2.38%

+1.71%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.36%

-2.67%

-1.69%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.46%

0.96%

+0.50%

Volatility

VWENX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX) has a higher volatility of 2.61% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) at 1.33%. This indicates that VWENX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


VWENXVBTLXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.61%

1.33%

+1.28%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

6.68%

2.78%

+3.90%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

8.42%

3.96%

+4.46%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

11.14%

6.01%

+5.13%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

11.53%

4.98%

+6.55%

VWENX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWENX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.04% 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

VWENX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison

VWENX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.91%, more than VBTLX's 3.99% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VBTLX
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares
3.99%3.87%3.69%3.10%2.59%1.96%2.39%2.74%2.57%2.56%2.53%2.82%
VWENX
Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares
10.91%11.55%10.85%6.08%8.28%8.72%7.85%4.74%9.58%5.88%4.53%6.58%

Frequently Asked Questions


VWENX and VBTLX have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VWENX has higher volatility (2.61%) compared to VBTLX (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWENX dropped -36.02% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.

VWENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.30), 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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