- Issuer
- Vanguard
- Inception Date
- Dec 7, 2023
- Category
- Intermediate Core-Plus Bond
- Leveraged
- 1x (No leverage)
- Index Tracked
- No Index (Active)
- Domicile
- United States
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Bond
- Assets Under Management
- $2B
Share Price Chart
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Performance
VPLS Performance Chart
Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) is up 0.8% since the beginning of the year. VPLS is currently trading at $77 per share.
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Returns By Period
Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) has returned 0.80% so far this year and 5.30% over the past 12 months.
Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF
- 1D
- -0.20%
- 1M
- 0.62%
- YTD
- 0.80%
- 6M
- 0.89%
- 1Y
- 5.30%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
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%
VPLS Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Dec 7, 2023, VPLS's average daily return is +0.02%, while the average monthly return is +0.45%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 12.9 years.
Historically, 65% of months were positive and 35% were negative. The best month was Dec 2023 with a return of +2.8%, while the worst month was Apr 2024 at -2.3%. The longest winning streak lasted 5 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 2 months.
On a daily basis, VPLS closed higher 53% of trading days. The best single day was Dec 13, 2023 with a return of +1.3%, while the worst single day was Apr 7, 2025 at -1.1%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.43% | 1.43% | -1.81% | 0.34% | 0.49% | -0.06% | 0.80% | ||||||
| 2025 | 0.67% | 2.23% | -0.07% | 0.12% | -0.22% | 1.58% | -0.14% | 1.26% | 1.11% | 0.61% | 0.63% | -0.16% | 7.86% |
| 2024 | -0.16% | -0.96% | 0.99% | -2.26% | 1.63% | 1.05% | 2.29% | 1.55% | 1.44% | -2.23% | 0.93% | -1.43% | 2.72% |
| 2023 | 2.83% | 2.83% |
Benchmark Metrics
Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF has an annualized alpha of 4.28%, beta of 0.07, and R2 of 0.05 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since December 07, 2023.
- This ETF participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (21.11%) than losses (20.72%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- Beta of 0.07 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.05 this ETF 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 ETF's risk.
- R2 of 0.05 means this ETF 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
- 4.28%
- Beta
- 0.07
- R²
- 0.05
- Upside Capture
- 21.11%
- Downside Capture
- 20.72%
Expense Ratio
VPLS has an expense ratio of 0.20%, which is considered low.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
VPLS ranks 42 for risk / return — on par with similar ETFs. You're getting a typical balance of risk and reward. Not a standout, but not a red flag either — a reasonable choice if other factors align with your goals.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) 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.
| VPLS | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.55 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.56 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.37 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.96 | 2.78 | -0.83 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.12 | 12.44 | -6.32 |
Dividends
Dividend History
Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF provided a 4.75% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $3.67 per share. The fund has been increasing its distributions for 2 consecutive years.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $3.67 | $3.73 | $3.43 | $0.14 |
Dividend yield | 4.75% | 4.78% | 4.52% | 0.18% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF. 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 | $0.00 | $0.29 | $0.26 | $0.29 | $0.28 | $0.29 | $1.42 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.00 | $0.32 | $0.26 | $0.29 | $0.30 | $0.30 | $0.29 | $0.31 | $0.30 | $0.28 | $0.29 | $0.78 | $3.73 |
| 2024 | $0.00 | $0.28 | $0.25 | $0.30 | $0.29 | $0.29 | $0.28 | $0.29 | $0.28 | $0.28 | $0.29 | $0.62 | $3.43 |
| 2023 | $0.14 | $0.14 |
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 Core-Plus Bond ETF. 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 Core-Plus Bond ETF was 4.17%, occurring on Jan 13, 2025. Recovery took 56 trading sessions.
The current Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF drawdown is 1.06%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 pullback2025 | -4.17%Jan 2025 | 3mo 28d | 2mo 20d | 6mo 18dSep 2024 - Apr 2025 |
2024 pullback2024 | -2.98%Apr 2024 | 3mo 20d | 1mo 28d | 5mo 18dDec 2023 - Jun 2024 |
2026 pullback2026 | -2.72%Mar 2026 | 25d | — | 3mo 23dMar 2026 - now |
2025 selloff2025 | -2.71%Apr 2025 | 7d | 2mo 14d | 2mo 21dApr 2025 - Jun 2025 |
2024 pullback2024 | -1.19%Jul 2024 | 5d | 4d | 9dJun 2024 - Jul 2024 |
Drawdown Indicators
| VPLS | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -4.17% | -56.78% | +52.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.72% | -9.10% | +6.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -18.90% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -25.43% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.92% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.06% | -1.80% | +0.74% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.01% | -10.71% | +9.70% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.87% | 2.03% | -1.16% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
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