- ISIN
- US9220211000
- CUSIP
- 922021100
- Issuer
- Vanguard
- Inception Date
- Apr 7, 1986
- Category
- Municipal Bonds
- Min. Investment
- $3,000
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Bond
- Assets Under Management
- $6B
Share Price Chart
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Performance
VCITX Performance Chart
Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCITX) is up 1.9% since the beginning of the year. VCITX is currently trading at $12 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of VCITX shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,069.
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Returns By Period
Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCITX) has returned 1.94% so far this year and 8.17% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, VCITX has returned 2.47% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.88% annually.
Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares
- 1D
- 0.09%
- 1M
- 1.98%
- YTD
- 1.94%
- 6M
- 2.43%
- 1Y
- 8.17%
- 3Y*
- 4.78%
- 5Y*
- 1.35%
- 10Y*
- 2.47%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -0.01%
- YTD
- 9.16%
- 6M
- 8.64%
- 1Y
- 25.22%
- 3Y*
- 19.78%
- 5Y*
- 11.99%
- 10Y*
- 13.88%
VCITX Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Apr 7, 1986, VCITX's average daily return is +0.02%, while the average monthly return is +0.39%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 14.8 years.
Historically, 64% of months were positive and 36% were negative. The best month was Nov 2023 with a return of +7.4%, while the worst month was Apr 1987 at -8.9%. The longest winning streak lasted 13 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 5 months.
On a daily basis, VCITX closed higher 40% of trading days. The best single day was Oct 22, 1987 with a return of +5.6%, while the worst single day was Apr 15, 1987 at -3.3%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.64% | 1.60% | -2.53% | 1.37% | 0.56% | 0.35% | 1.94% | ||||||
| 2025 | 0.10% | 1.45% | -1.69% | -0.56% | -0.51% | 0.67% | -0.60% | 0.86% | 3.30% | 1.44% | 0.38% | 0.04% | 4.90% |
| 2024 | -0.09% | 0.01% | -0.08% | -1.20% | -0.07% | 1.79% | 0.88% | 0.80% | 1.23% | -1.52% | 2.04% | -1.09% | 2.66% |
| 2023 | 3.39% | -2.63% | 2.32% | -0.19% | -0.81% | 1.06% | 0.34% | -1.34% | -3.15% | -1.58% | 7.41% | 2.93% | 7.51% |
| 2022 | -2.89% | -0.45% | -3.57% | -3.97% | 1.90% | -2.76% | 3.54% | -2.66% | -4.35% | -0.79% | 6.04% | -0.02% | -10.06% |
| 2021 | 0.31% | -2.10% | 0.83% | 0.99% | 0.51% | 0.27% | 0.89% | -0.43% | -0.82% | -0.05% | 0.91% | 0.18% | 1.46% |
Benchmark Metrics
Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares has an annualized alpha of 4.59%, beta of 0.01, and R2 of 0.00 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since April 07, 1986.
- This fund participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (17.38%) than losses (4.77%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- Beta of 0.01 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.00 this fund is largely uncorrelated with S&P 500 Index - low beta reflects independence, not downside protection. See the Volatility section for a true picture of this fund's risk.
- R2 of 0.00 means this fund moves largely independently of S&P 500 Index - capture ratios reflect limited market correlation rather than active downside protection. Consider using a more representative benchmark.
- Alpha
- 4.59%
- Beta
- 0.01
- R²
- 0.00
- Upside Capture
- 17.38%
- Downside Capture
- 4.77%
Expense Ratio
VCITX has an expense ratio of 0.17%, which is considered low.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
VCITX ranks 71 for risk / return — better than 71% of mutual funds on our site. You're getting solid returns for the risk taken. A good sign, especially for investors who want growth without excessive volatility.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCITX) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
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.
| VCITX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.61 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.66 | 1.37 | +0.29 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.39 | 2.78 | -0.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.49 | 12.44 | -3.95 |
Dividends
Dividend History
Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares provided a 3.54% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $0.41 per share. The fund has been increasing its distributions for 3 consecutive years.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $0.41 | $0.50 | $0.44 | $0.35 | $0.30 | $0.32 | $0.41 | $0.40 | $0.40 | $0.39 | $0.41 | $0.43 |
Dividend yield | 3.54% | 4.34% | 3.85% | 2.99% | 2.66% | 2.56% | 3.21% | 3.16% | 3.32% | 3.22% | 3.45% | 3.50% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.00 | $0.17 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.03 | $0.06 | $0.07 | $0.07 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.50 |
| 2024 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.06 | $0.06 | $0.44 |
| 2023 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.35 |
| 2022 | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.30 |
| 2021 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.10 | $0.32 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
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Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares was 22.71%, occurring on Oct 16, 1987. Recovery took 781 trading sessions.
The current Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares drawdown is 0.30%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Black Monday1987 | -22.71%Oct 1987 | 8mo 21d | 3y 1mo | 3y 9moJan 1987 - Nov 1990 |
Bear market2022 | -15.79%Oct 2022 | 1y 2mo | 1y 11mo | 3y 1moAug 2021 - Oct 2024 |
COVID crash2020 | -12.56%Mar 2020 | 10d | 4mo 13d | 4mo 23dMar 2020 - Jul 2020 |
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -12.33%Dec 2008 | 10mo 26d | 8mo 14d | 1y 7moJan 2008 - Aug 2009 |
1994 correction1994 | -11.98%Nov 1994 | 9mo 20d | 3mo 9d | 1y 24dFeb 1994 - Feb 1995 |
Drawdown Indicators
| VCITX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.71% | -56.78% | +34.07% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.43% | -9.10% | +5.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.57% | -18.90% | +12.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.79% | -25.43% | +9.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -15.79% | -33.92% | +18.13% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.30% | -1.80% | +1.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.58% | -10.71% | +8.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.96% | 2.03% | -1.07% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
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