BNDC vs. VCLT
BNDC (FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund) and VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BNDC is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Northern Trust, while VCLT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. BNDC is actively managed, while VCLT is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BNDC returned -0.11%/yr vs -1.50%/yr for VCLT. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BNDC charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCLT.
Performance
BNDC vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BNDC achieves a 0.17% return, which is significantly lower than VCLT's 1.34% return.
BNDC
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- 0.05%
- YTD
- 0.17%
- 6M
- 0.17%
- 1Y
- 5.00%
- 3Y*
- 3.77%
- 5Y*
- -0.11%
- 10Y*
- —
VCLT
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 1.34%
- YTD
- 1.34%
- 6M
- 0.62%
- 1Y
- 8.27%
- 3Y*
- 4.46%
- 5Y*
- -1.50%
- 10Y*
- 2.35%
BNDC vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDC FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund | 0.17% | 7.29% | 0.86% | 5.36% | -13.54% | -2.01% | 8.66% | 9.57% | -1.49% | 3.97% |
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 1.34% | 7.18% | -1.90% | 11.17% | -25.50% | -1.73% | 13.27% | 23.89% | -7.04% | 11.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between BNDC and VCLT is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 22, 2016 | 0.78 |
The correlation between BNDC and VCLT shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.91 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BNDC vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank
BNDC
VCLT
BNDC vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund (BNDC) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT). 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.
| BNDC | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.26 | 1.05 | +0.21 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.90 | 1.53 | +0.37 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.18 | +0.04 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.63 | 1.47 | +0.16 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.88 | 3.63 | +1.25 |
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
| BNDC | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.26 | 1.05 | +0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.02 | -0.12 | +0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.18 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.21 | 0.40 | -0.18 |
Drawdowns
BNDC vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BNDC drawdown since its inception was -18.80%, smaller than the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDC and VCLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BNDC | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.80% | -34.31% | +15.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.87% | -5.25% | +2.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.30% | -13.03% | +6.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.60% | -34.31% | +15.71% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -34.31% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.25% | -14.06% | +10.81% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.36% | -8.16% | +0.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.96% | 2.12% | -1.16% |
Volatility
BNDC vs. VCLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund (BNDC) is 1.25%, while Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has a volatility of 2.34%. This indicates that BNDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BNDC | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.25% | 2.34% | -1.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.81% | 5.81% | -3.00% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.00% | 7.93% | -3.93% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.07% | 12.78% | -6.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.06% | 12.84% | -4.78% |
BNDC vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
BNDC has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLT's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
BNDC vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison
BNDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.14%, less than VCLT's 5.53% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDC FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund | 4.14% | 4.16% | 3.81% | 3.19% | 2.64% | 1.72% | 2.61% | 2.89% | 2.86% | 2.50% | 0.64% | 0.00% |
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 5.53% | 5.51% | 5.19% | 4.67% | 4.44% | 3.07% | 3.16% | 3.81% | 4.55% | 4.01% | 4.33% | 4.68% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BNDC and VCLT have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VCLT has higher volatility (2.34%) compared to BNDC (1.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDC dropped -18.80% vs VCLT's -34.31%.
On 5-year performance, BNDC leads with -0.11% vs -1.50% for VCLT. On fees, VCLT is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, BNDC has been the lower-risk option at 1.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, BNDC has performed better with a -0.11% return vs -1.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCLT is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BNDC.
VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.53%, compared with 4.14% for BNDC.
BNDC is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while VCLT is Corporate Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BNDC and 0.04% for VCLT.
BNDC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs 1.05), 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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