VBTLX vs AGG: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares against iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Sep 29, 2003 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VBTLX beat AGG?
Yes — measured from Sep 29, 2003 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VBTLX came out ahead: $20,331 versus $19,837 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 3.2% annual return against 3.1%.
What would $10,000 in VBTLX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) on Sep 29, 2003 would be worth about $20,331 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 103.3% (3.2% per year). The same $10,000 in AGG would be worth $19,837.
Which was riskier — VBTLX or AGG?
VBTLX swung with an annualized volatility of 4.5% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -18.7%; AGG ran at 5.2% volatility with a -18.4% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.26 for VBTLX vs 0.20 for AGG.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Sep 29, 2003 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with VBTLX vs AGG. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.