WEA vs. VTPSX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

WEA (Western Asset Premier Bond Fund) and VTPSX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - WEA is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Western Asset Management, while VTPSX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, WEA returned 4.44%/yr vs 9.79%/yr for VTPSX. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WEA vs. VTPSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (WEA) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WEA achieves a 0.68% return, which is significantly lower than VTPSX's 13.05% return. Over the past 10 years, WEA has underperformed VTPSX with an annualized return of 4.44%, while VTPSX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.79% annualized return.

WEA

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 1.43%
• 6M: -0.76%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 1Y: 7.02%
• 3Y*: 7.34%
• 5Y*: 1.07%
• 10Y*: 4.44%

VTPSX

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -0.53%
• 6M: 9.61%
• YTD: 13.05%
• 1Y: 26.53%
• 3Y*: 18.91%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: 9.79%

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

WEA vs. VTPSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WEA Western Asset Premier Bond Fund	0.68%	10.59%	7.73%	9.58%	-20.24%	6.88%	2.75%	28.46%	-6.88%	13.60%
VTPSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	13.05%	32.25%	5.39%	15.31%	-15.99%	8.64%	11.29%	21.57%	-14.40%	27.56%

Correlation

The correlation between WEA and VTPSX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2010	0.27

The correlation between WEA and VTPSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.40 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WEA vs. VTPSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WEA

WEA Risk / Return Rank: 15
WEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
WEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
WEA Omega Ratio Rank: 14
WEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
WEA Martin Ratio Rank: 13

VTPSX

VTPSX Risk / Return Rank: 56
VTPSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VTPSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VTPSX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VTPSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VTPSX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

WEA vs. VTPSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (WEA) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX). 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.

	WEA	VTPSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	1.67	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	2.29	-1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.31	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.91	2.30	-1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.52	8.80	-6.28

WEA vs. VTPSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WEA Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is lower than the VTPSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WEA and VTPSX, 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

WEA vs. VTPSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WEA drawdown since its inception was -57.76%, which is greater than VTPSX's maximum drawdown of -35.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WEA and VTPSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WEA	VTPSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.76%	-35.77%	-21.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.07%	-11.29%	+4.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.96%	-13.14%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.31%	-29.49%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.82%	-35.77%	-2.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.90%	-2.40%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.01%	-8.01%	+1.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	2.95%	-0.40%

Volatility

WEA vs. VTPSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (WEA) is 1.41%, while Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX) has a volatility of 6.22%. This indicates that WEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTPSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WEA	VTPSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.41%	6.22%	-4.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.15%	13.66%	-7.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.08%	15.55%	-7.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.50%	15.29%	-1.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.97%	15.78%	-1.81%

Dividends

WEA vs. VTPSX - Dividend Comparison

WEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.87%, more than VTPSX's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTPSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.58%	3.18%	3.37%	3.25%	3.09%	3.09%	2.13%	3.08%	3.20%	2.77%	2.97%	2.89%
WEA Western Asset Premier Bond Fund	7.87%	7.62%	7.80%	7.44%	7.44%	5.53%	5.59%	5.37%	6.49%	6.26%	7.93%	8.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WEA and VTPSX in my portfolio?

WEA and VTPSX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WEA or VTPSX?

VTPSX has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to WEA (1.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WEA dropped -57.76% vs VTPSX's -35.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTPSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 0.80), 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.