BP vs. VCSH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BP (BP p.l.c.) is a stock, while VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) is Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index. Over the past 10 years, BP returned 9.25%/yr vs 2.70%/yr for VCSH. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

BP vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BP p.l.c. (BP) 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, BP achieves a 28.86% return, which is significantly higher than VCSH's 0.64% return. Over the past 10 years, BP has outperformed VCSH with an annualized return of 9.25%, while VCSH has yielded a comparatively lower 2.70% annualized return.

BP

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -5.88%
• YTD: 28.86%
• 6M: 20.17%
• 1Y: 55.74%
• 3Y*: 12.91%
• 5Y*: 15.36%
• 10Y*: 9.25%

VCSH

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.95%
• 1Y: 4.59%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.32%
• 10Y*: 2.70%

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

BP vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BP BP p.l.c.	28.86%	24.54%	-11.84%	6.00%	37.01%	36.38%	-41.31%	5.83%	-4.57%	20.02%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.64%	6.77%	4.91%	6.20%	-5.62%	-0.63%	5.13%	7.02%	0.92%	2.17%

Correlation

The correlation between BP and VCSH is -0.24, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.05
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	-0.01

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between BP and VCSH has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.01 to -0.24, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

BP vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

BP

BP Risk / Return Rank: 87
BP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
BP Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BP Omega Ratio Rank: 83
BP Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
BP Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VCSH

VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 74
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

BP vs. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BP p.l.c. (BP) 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.

	BP	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	2.45	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	3.85	-1.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.48	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.80	3.29	+1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.10	13.55	+0.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BP vs. VCSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BP Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the VCSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BP 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BP	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	2.45	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.81	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	0.81	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	1.02	-0.84

Drawdowns

BP vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BP drawdown since its inception was -74.94%, which is greater than VCSH's maximum drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BP and VCSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	BP	VCSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.94%	-12.86%	-62.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.68%	-1.40%	-10.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.63%	-1.40%	-29.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.63%	-9.48%	-21.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.91%	-12.86%	-51.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.24%	-0.32%	-6.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.27%	-0.97%	-24.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.97%	0.34%	+3.63%

Volatility

BP vs. VCSH - Volatility Comparison

BP p.l.c. (BP) has a higher volatility of 8.80% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) at 0.57%. This indicates that BP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BP	VCSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.80%	0.57%	+8.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.17%	1.38%	+20.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.79%	1.88%	+24.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.59%	2.88%	+25.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.27%	3.35%	+27.92%

Dividends

BP vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison

BP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than VCSH's 4.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BP BP p.l.c.	4.57%	5.64%	6.20%	4.71%	3.94%	4.83%	9.21%	6.52%	6.41%	5.66%	6.37%	7.63%
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 BP and VCSH in my portfolio?

BP and VCSH have a correlation of -0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BP or VCSH?

BP has higher volatility (8.80%) compared to VCSH (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BP dropped -74.94% vs VCSH's -12.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.09), 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.