CPHYX vs. VCRB
CPHYX (Principal High Yield Fund) and VCRB (Vanguard Core Bond ETF) are both funds - CPHYX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by Principal, while VCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past year, CPHYX returned 5.32% vs 4.77% for VCRB. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CPHYX charges 0.91%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCRB.
Performance
CPHYX vs. VCRB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CPHYX achieves a 1.24% return, which is significantly higher than VCRB's 0.73% return.
CPHYX
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- 0.57%
- YTD
- 1.24%
- 6M
- 1.82%
- 1Y
- 5.32%
- 3Y*
- 7.37%
- 5Y*
- 3.58%
- 10Y*
- 5.10%
VCRB
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.72%
- YTD
- 0.73%
- 6M
- 0.80%
- 1Y
- 4.77%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
CPHYX vs. VCRB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CPHYX Principal High Yield Fund | 1.24% | 6.68% | 7.09% | 2.51% |
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF | 0.73% | 7.56% | 2.21% | 0.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between CPHYX and VCRB is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2023 | 0.43 |
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Return for Risk
CPHYX vs. VCRB — Risk / Return Rank
CPHYX
VCRB
CPHYX vs. VCRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal High Yield Fund (CPHYX) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB). 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.
| CPHYX | VCRB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.39 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.95 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.23 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.10 | 1.82 | +0.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.55 | 5.16 | +5.39 |
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Drawdowns
CPHYX vs. VCRB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CPHYX drawdown since its inception was -27.79%, which is greater than VCRB's maximum drawdown of -4.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPHYX and VCRB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CPHYX | VCRB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -27.79% | -4.59% | -23.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.61% | -2.63% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.48% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.33% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.68% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.30% | -1.14% | +0.84% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.61% | -1.16% | -1.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.52% | 0.93% | -0.41% |
Volatility
CPHYX vs. VCRB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal High Yield Fund (CPHYX) is 0.79%, while Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB) has a volatility of 0.94%. This indicates that CPHYX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CPHYX | VCRB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.79% | 0.94% | -0.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.53% | 2.66% | -0.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.21% | 3.61% | -0.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.77% | 4.72% | +0.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.36% | 4.72% | +0.64% |
CPHYX vs. VCRB - Expense Ratio Comparison
CPHYX has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is higher than VCRB's 0.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
CPHYX vs. VCRB - Dividend Comparison
CPHYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.58%, more than VCRB's 4.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CPHYX Principal High Yield Fund | 6.58% | 6.46% | 6.23% | 4.70% | 4.56% | 4.72% | 4.82% | 5.50% | 6.18% | 4.90% | 5.62% | 6.24% |
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF | 4.59% | 4.55% | 4.22% | 0.16% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
CPHYX and VCRB have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VCRB has higher volatility (0.94%) compared to CPHYX (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPHYX dropped -27.79% vs VCRB's -4.59%.
CPHYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.33), 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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