BNDP vs. VCIT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

BNDP (Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF) and VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BNDP is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Float Adjusted Index, while VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.95 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BNDP charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VCIT.

Performance

BNDP vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF (BNDP) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BNDP achieves a -0.46% return, which is significantly higher than VCIT's -0.64% return.

BNDP

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: -1.08%
• 6M: -0.62%
• YTD: -0.46%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

VCIT

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -1.31%
• 6M: -0.88%
• YTD: -0.64%
• 1Y: 2.20%
• 3Y*: 5.78%
• 5Y*: 0.64%
• 10Y*: 2.65%
• ALL TIME*: 4.24%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BNDP Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF	$504.98K	$475.70K	$762.42K
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	$656.43M	$641.05M	$718.26M

BNDP vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BNDP Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF	-0.46%	0.08%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	-0.64%	-0.11%

Correlation

The correlation between BNDP and VCIT is 0.95, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.95

Return for Risk

BNDP vs. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BNDP

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

VCIT

VCIT Risk / Return Rank: 30
VCIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VCIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VCIT Omega Ratio Rank: 28
VCIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VCIT Martin Ratio Rank: 32

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BNDP vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF (BNDP) 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.

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.

	BNDP	VCIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.75	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.10	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.13	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.04	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	2.91	—

Drawdowns

BNDP vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BNDP drawdown since its inception was -2.60%, smaller than the maximum VCIT drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDP and VCIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	BNDP	VCIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.60%	-20.56%	+17.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.96%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.29%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.56%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-20.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.10%	-2.16%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.98%	-3.14%	+2.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.06%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BNDP	VCIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.12%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	3.29%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.65%	4.10%	-0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.65%	6.62%	-2.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.65%	6.28%	-2.63%

BNDP vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

BNDP has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VCIT's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BNDP vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison

BNDP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, less than VCIT's 4.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BNDP Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF	2.47%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.46%	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

Can I hold both BNDP and VCIT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, BNDP 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.

Which ETF is better, BNDP or VCIT?

On fees, VCIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BNDP or VCIT?

VCIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for BNDP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BNDP or VCIT?

VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.46%, compared with 2.47% for BNDP.

What is the main difference between BNDP and VCIT?

BNDP is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while VCIT is Corporate Bonds. BNDP tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Float Adjusted Index, while VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for BNDP and 0.03% for VCIT.