List of Vanguard Bond Funds and ETFs

Vanguard is the leader in the mutual fund business for a reason

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Vanguard is one of the world’s pre-eminent providers of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds for a good reason. The company helped pioneer index investing and low-cost mutual funds. Founded in 1975, the Pennsylvania-based firm offers a full suite of no-load, low-fee products for investors.

For those considering an investment in bond index funds, Vanguard funds are one of the best choices out there. The company is known for its low expense ratios, which have been shown to be the most important factor in long-term fund performance. It is especially true with respect to bond funds—more so than with stock funds—due to their lower expected returns, and it's even more important when a low-yield environment restricts bonds' total return potential.

Here's a list of Vanguard’s funds, along with their Morningstar rankings where applicable. 

Vanguard Mutual Funds

Vanguard Exchange-Traded Funds

A Word of Warning

Keep in mind that index funds—Vanguard's specialty—might not necessarily be the answer. Bond index funds represent a fairly narrow swath of the total global bond market, and they tend to have a high sensitivity to moves in prevailing yields.

Still, Vanguard is the leader in the mutual fund business for a reason. In an article titled, "Why Vanguard is a Role Model for the Fund Industry," MarketWatch's Chuck Jaffee writes: "At the risk of sounding like a commercial for the Valley Forge, Pa. based giant—which controls well over $3 trillion in assets worldwide—the question is, 'Why invest anywhere else?'...Vanguard has earned its position as the fund industry’s big dog with a relentless focus on costs and common sense, and a dedication to reaching long-term success without obsessive interest in topping the market over the short run...'Why not Vanguard?' is an appropriate test before buying a fund from any of the competition."

​Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for discussion purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Under no circumstances does this information represent a recommendation to buy or sell securities. Always talk to a financial and/or tax advisor before you invest.

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  1. MarketWatch. "Why Vanguard is a Role Model for the Fund Industry."

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