BNDW vs. VCLT
BNDW (Vanguard Total World Bond ETF) and VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BNDW is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index, while VCLT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BNDW returned 0.22%/yr vs -1.78%/yr for VCLT. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BNDW charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCLT.
Performance
BNDW vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BNDW achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than VCLT's 0.99% return.
BNDW
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- 0.44%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.18%
- 1Y
- 3.51%
- 3Y*
- 3.99%
- 5Y*
- 0.22%
- 10Y*
- —
VCLT
- 1D
- -0.35%
- 1M
- 1.49%
- YTD
- 0.99%
- 6M
- -0.04%
- 1Y
- 7.69%
- 3Y*
- 4.34%
- 5Y*
- -1.78%
- 10Y*
- 2.31%
BNDW vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF | 0.42% | 5.02% | 2.42% | 7.18% | -12.88% | -2.10% | 6.22% | 8.37% | 1.21% |
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.99% | 7.18% | -1.90% | 11.17% | -25.50% | -1.73% | 13.27% | 23.89% | -1.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between BNDW and VCLT is 0.89, 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 | 0.89 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2018 | 0.85 |
The correlation between BNDW and VCLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BNDW vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank
BNDW
VCLT
BNDW vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) 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.
| BNDW | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.05 | 0.97 | +0.07 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.50 | 1.43 | +0.07 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.17 | +0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.31 | 1.47 | -0.16 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.70 | 3.62 | +0.07 |
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
| BNDW | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.05 | 0.97 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | -0.14 | +0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.18 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.37 | 0.39 | -0.02 |
Drawdowns
BNDW vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BNDW drawdown since its inception was -17.22%, smaller than the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDW and VCLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BNDW | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.22% | -34.31% | +17.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.70% | -5.25% | +2.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.27% | -13.03% | +8.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.93% | -34.31% | +17.38% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -34.31% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.53% | -14.36% | +12.83% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.98% | -8.16% | +3.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.95% | 2.13% | -1.18% |
Volatility
BNDW vs. VCLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) is 1.31%, while Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that BNDW 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
| BNDW | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.31% | 2.31% | -1.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.62% | 5.75% | -3.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.36% | 7.92% | -4.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.21% | 12.78% | -7.57% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.90% | 12.84% | -7.94% |
BNDW vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
BNDW has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLT's 0.04% 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
BNDW vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison
BNDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, less than VCLT's 5.55% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF | 4.21% | 4.12% | 3.90% | 3.73% | 2.02% | 2.58% | 1.56% | 3.05% | 1.66% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 5.55% | 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
BNDW and VCLT have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VCLT has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to BNDW (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDW dropped -17.22% vs VCLT's -34.31%.
On 5-year performance, BNDW leads with 0.22% vs -1.78% for VCLT. On fees, VCLT is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, BNDW has been the lower-risk option at 1.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, BNDW has performed better with a 0.22% return vs -1.78%. 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 0.05% for BNDW.
VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 4.21% for BNDW.
BNDW is categorized as Global Bonds, while VCLT is Corporate Bonds. BNDW tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index, while VCLT tracks Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for BNDW and 0.04% for VCLT.
BNDW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.05 vs 0.97), 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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