- ISIN
- US9220317609
- CUSIP
- 922031760
- Issuer
- Vanguard
- Inception Date
- Nov 12, 2001
- Category
- High Yield Bonds
- Min. Investment
- $50,000
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Bond
- Assets Under Management
- $26B
Share Price Chart
Loading charts...
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Performance
VWEAX Performance Chart
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) is up 0.7% since the beginning of the year. VWEAX is currently trading at $5 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of VWEAX shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,217.
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) has returned 0.65% so far this year and 6.15% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, VWEAX has returned 5.15% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.53% annually.
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- 0.17%
- YTD
- 0.65%
- 6M
- 1.53%
- 1Y
- 6.15%
- 3Y*
- 8.08%
- 5Y*
- 4.00%
- 10Y*
- 5.15%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- 1.75%
- 1M
- -0.09%
- YTD
- 8.02%
- 6M
- 7.15%
- 1Y
- 22.78%
- 3Y*
- 19.45%
- 5Y*
- 11.73%
- 10Y*
- 13.53%
VWEAX Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Nov 12, 2001, VWEAX's average daily return is +0.02%, while the average monthly return is +0.51%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 11.4 years.
Historically, 69% of months were positive and 31% were negative. The best month was Dec 2008 with a return of +8.5%, while the worst month was Oct 2008 at -15.4%. The longest winning streak lasted 14 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 4 months.
On a daily basis, VWEAX closed higher 33% of trading days. The best single day was Mar 26, 2020 with a return of +3.0%, while the worst single day was Mar 18, 2020 at -3.4%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.16% | 0.51% | -1.27% | 1.27% | 0.54% | -0.55% | 0.65% | ||||||
| 2025 | 1.26% | 0.70% | -0.39% | 0.36% | 1.47% | 1.64% | 0.36% | 1.27% | 0.71% | 0.35% | 0.70% | 0.70% | 9.49% |
| 2024 | -0.24% | 0.13% | 0.88% | -0.96% | 1.29% | 1.09% | 1.64% | 1.46% | 1.25% | -0.74% | 1.07% | -0.58% | 6.42% |
| 2023 | 3.40% | -1.60% | 1.45% | 0.67% | -0.84% | 1.28% | 1.10% | 0.14% | -1.40% | -0.63% | 4.48% | 3.36% | 11.79% |
| 2022 | -2.70% | -0.86% | -0.68% | -3.34% | 0.96% | -6.36% | 6.35% | -3.10% | -3.78% | 2.69% | 2.64% | -0.49% | -8.95% |
| 2021 | -0.33% | -0.34% | -0.15% | 1.20% | 0.19% | 1.03% | 0.52% | 0.52% | -0.15% | -0.32% | -0.84% | 1.71% | 3.04% |
Benchmark Metrics
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares has an annualized alpha of 5.32%, beta of 0.08, and R2 of 0.11 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since November 12, 2001.
- This fund participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (37.25%) than losses (29.95%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- Beta of 0.08 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.11 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 0.11 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
- 5.32%
- Beta
- 0.08
- R²
- 0.11
- Upside Capture
- 37.25%
- Downside Capture
- 29.95%
Expense Ratio
VWEAX has an expense ratio of 0.13%, which is considered low.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
VWEAX ranks 78 for risk / return — better than 78% 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 High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) 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.
| VWEAX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.82 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.47 | 1.34 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.52 | 2.52 | +0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.79 | 11.31 | +1.47 |
Dividends
Dividend History
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares provided a 6.39% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $0.35 per share. The fund has been increasing its distributions for 4 consecutive years.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $0.35 | $0.35 | $0.34 | $0.31 | $0.27 | $0.21 | $0.28 | $0.32 | $0.33 | $0.32 | $0.32 | $0.36 |
Dividend yield | 6.39% | 6.25% | 6.20% | 5.79% | 5.21% | 3.49% | 4.71% | 5.33% | 6.07% | 5.39% | 5.51% | 6.53% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral 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 | $0.14 | ||||||
| 2025 | $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 |
| 2024 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.34 |
| 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 | $0.31 |
| 2022 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.27 |
| 2021 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.21 |
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.
Loading charts...
Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral 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 High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares was 30.05%, occurring on Nov 24, 2008. Recovery took 202 trading sessions.
The current Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares drawdown is 0.55%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -30.05%Nov 2008 | 1y 5mo | 9mo 25d | 2y 3moJun 2007 - Sep 2009 |
COVID crash2020 | -19.68%Mar 2020 | 1mo 1d | 4mo 13d | 5mo 14dFeb 2020 - Aug 2020 |
Bear market2022 | -13.77%Sep 2022 | 8mo 28d | 1y 2mo | 1y 11moJan 2022 - Dec 2023 |
Dot-com crash2000–2002 | -8.82%Oct 2002 | 5mo 18d | 2mo 23d | 8mo 11dMay 2002 - Jan 2003 |
2016 pullback2016 | -8.51%Feb 2016 | 8mo 14d | 2mo 18d | 11mo 2dJun 2015 - Apr 2016 |
Drawdown Indicators
| VWEAX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.05% | -56.78% | +26.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.52% | -9.10% | +6.58% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.32% | -18.90% | +15.58% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.77% | -25.43% | +11.66% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.68% | -33.92% | +14.24% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.55% | -2.83% | +2.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.12% | -10.72% | +8.60% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.50% | 2.02% | -1.52% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Build a portfolio with VWEAX
Add Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares to a portfolio and analyze allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Analyzer with VWEAX