BIV vs. VCIT
BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) and VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index, while VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BIV returned 1.83%/yr vs 2.85%/yr for VCIT. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
BIV vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BIV achieves a -0.67% return, which is significantly lower than VCIT's -0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, BIV has underperformed VCIT with an annualized return of 1.83%, while VCIT has yielded a comparatively higher 2.85% annualized return.
BIV
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -0.94%
- YTD
- -0.67%
- 6M
- -0.33%
- 1Y
- 4.70%
- 3Y*
- 4.27%
- 5Y*
- 0.08%
- 10Y*
- 1.83%
VCIT
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- -0.79%
- YTD
- -0.26%
- 6M
- 0.06%
- 1Y
- 5.98%
- 3Y*
- 6.04%
- 5Y*
- 1.04%
- 10Y*
- 2.85%
BIV vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | -0.67% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.07% | -13.21% | -2.40% | 9.67% | 10.34% | -0.19% | 3.65% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | -0.26% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -13.98% | -1.77% | 9.46% | 14.10% | -1.74% | 5.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between BIV and VCIT is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.89 |
The correlation between BIV and VCIT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BIV vs. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank
BIV
VCIT
BIV vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). 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.
| BIV | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.26 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.49 | 2.03 | -0.54 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.40 | 6.67 | -2.27 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BIV | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.18 | 1.48 | -0.30 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.01 | 0.16 | -0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.33 | 0.46 | -0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.64 | 0.75 | -0.11 |
Drawdowns
BIV vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BIV drawdown since its inception was -18.95%, smaller than the maximum VCIT drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIV and VCIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BIV | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.95% | -20.56% | +1.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.18% | -2.96% | -0.22% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.07% | -6.11% | +0.04% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.74% | -20.56% | +1.82% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.95% | -20.56% | +1.61% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.46% | -1.79% | -0.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.39% | -3.16% | -0.23% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.07% | 0.90% | +0.17% |
Volatility
BIV vs. VCIT - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) have volatilities of 1.35% and 1.39%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| BIV | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.35% | 1.39% | -0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.93% | 3.10% | -0.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.00% | 4.07% | -0.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.40% | 6.61% | -0.21% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.51% | 6.28% | -0.77% |
BIV vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both BIV and VCIT have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BIV vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison
BIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.24%, less than VCIT's 4.82% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 4.24% | 4.01% | 3.79% | 3.09% | 2.41% | 3.42% | 2.95% | 2.75% | 2.88% | 2.69% | 3.01% | 3.02% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.82% | 4.62% | 4.43% | 3.72% | 3.03% | 2.87% | 2.78% | 3.37% | 3.61% | 3.21% | 3.29% | 3.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, BIV and VCIT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VCIT has higher volatility (1.39%) compared to BIV (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIV dropped -18.95% vs VCIT's -20.56%.
On 10-year performance, VCIT leads with 2.85% vs 1.83% for BIV. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VCIT has performed better with a 2.85% return vs 1.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BIV and VCIT have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.82%, compared with 4.24% for BIV.
BIV is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while VCIT is Corporate Bonds. BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index, while VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index.
VCIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.18), 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.
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