BATAX vs. VCSH

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BATAX (BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio) and VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both funds - BATAX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by BlackRock, while VCSH is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, BATAX returned 3.59%/yr vs 2.64%/yr for VCSH. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BATAX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCSH.

Performance

BATAX vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio (BATAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BATAX achieves a 1.87% return, which is significantly higher than VCSH's 0.62% return. Over the past 10 years, BATAX has outperformed VCSH with an annualized return of 3.59%, while VCSH has yielded a comparatively lower 2.64% annualized return.

BATAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 1.87%
• 6M: 2.42%
• 1Y: 6.13%
• 3Y*: 6.70%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 3.59%

VCSH

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 0.62%
• 6M: 0.82%
• 1Y: 4.15%
• 3Y*: 5.56%
• 5Y*: 2.36%
• 10Y*: 2.64%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BATAX vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BATAX BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio	1.87%	7.37%	7.34%	6.43%	-5.87%	1.72%	2.75%	6.76%	2.20%	5.21%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.62%	6.77%	4.91%	6.20%	-5.62%	-0.63%	5.13%	7.02%	0.92%	2.17%

Correlation

The correlation between BATAX and VCSH is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.56

The correlation between BATAX and VCSH shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (all time) to 0.69 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BATAX vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BATAX

BATAX Risk / Return Rank: 97
BATAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
BATAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
BATAX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
BATAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
BATAX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

VCSH

VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 71
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 75
VCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 67

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BATAX vs. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio (BATAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

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.

	BATAX	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.00	2.17	+0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.45	3.35	+4.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.12	1.42	+0.70
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.57	2.98	+3.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.53	12.06	+15.47

BATAX vs. VCSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BATAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.00, which is higher than the VCSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BATAX and VCSH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BATAX vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BATAX drawdown since its inception was -17.42%, which is greater than VCSH's maximum drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BATAX and VCSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	BATAX	VCSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.42%	-12.86%	-4.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.94%	-1.40%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.15%	-1.40%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.12%	-9.48%	+1.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.42%	-12.86%	-4.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.34%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.30%	-0.96%	-0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.22%	0.35%	-0.13%

Volatility

BATAX vs. VCSH - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio (BATAX) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) have volatilities of 0.67% and 0.68%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BATAX	VCSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.67%	0.68%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.45%	1.48%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05%	1.92%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.18%	2.89%	-0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.07%	3.35%	-0.28%

BATAX vs. VCSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

BATAX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than VCSH's 0.04% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BATAX vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison

BATAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.74%, more than VCSH's 4.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BATAX BlackRock Allocation Target Shares Series A Portfolio	5.74%	5.92%	5.45%	3.91%	3.14%	1.82%	3.22%	4.73%	5.36%	4.10%	0.40%	0.00%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.45%	4.35%	3.96%	3.09%	2.01%	1.81%	2.27%	2.87%	2.65%	2.26%	2.10%	2.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BATAX and VCSH in my portfolio?

BATAX and VCSH have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BATAX or VCSH?

VCSH has higher volatility (0.68%) compared to BATAX (0.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BATAX dropped -17.42% vs VCSH's -12.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BATAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 2.17), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.