CPLS vs. BND

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CPLS (AB Core Plus Bond ETF) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CPLS is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. CPLS is actively managed, while BND is passively managed. Over the past year, CPLS returned 5.29% vs 5.19% for BND. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. CPLS charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.

Performance

CPLS vs. BND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CPLS achieves a 0.53% return, which is significantly higher than BND's 0.46% return.

CPLS

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.02%
• YTD: 0.53%
• 6M: 0.48%
• 1Y: 5.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BND

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 0.46%
• 6M: 0.46%
• 1Y: 5.19%
• 3Y*: 4.03%
• 5Y*: 0.20%
• 10Y*: 1.60%

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

CPLS vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CPLS AB Core Plus Bond ETF	0.53%	6.91%	1.65%	1.21%
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	0.46%	7.08%	1.38%	1.10%

Correlation

The correlation between CPLS and BND is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2023	0.97

The correlation between CPLS and BND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CPLS vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPLS

CPLS Risk / Return Rank: 39
CPLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
CPLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
CPLS Omega Ratio Rank: 36
CPLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
CPLS Martin Ratio Rank: 40

BND

BND Risk / Return Rank: 38
BND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
BND Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
BND Omega Ratio Rank: 36
BND Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
BND Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

CPLS vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.

	CPLS	BND	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.38	-0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	2.07	+0.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.24	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	1.85	+0.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.52	5.66	+0.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CPLS vs. BND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPLS Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the BND Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPLS and BND, 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

	CPLS	BND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	1.38	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.29	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.59	+0.28

Drawdowns

CPLS vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPLS drawdown since its inception was -4.43%, smaller than the maximum BND drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPLS and BND.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPLS	BND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.43%	-18.58%	+14.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.47%	-2.68%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.92%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.91%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.58%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.03%	-2.18%	+1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.24%	-3.06%	+1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	0.88%	-0.10%

Volatility

CPLS vs. BND - Volatility Comparison

AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) has a higher volatility of 1.42% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) at 1.26%. This indicates that CPLS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPLS	BND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.42%	1.26%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	2.68%	+0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.87%	3.78%	+0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.82%	6.02%	-1.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.82%	5.53%	-0.71%

CPLS vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPLS has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPLS vs. BND - Dividend Comparison

CPLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, more than BND's 3.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF	3.96%	3.86%	3.67%	3.09%	2.60%	2.12%	2.38%	2.72%	2.81%	2.54%	2.51%	2.57%
CPLS AB Core Plus Bond ETF	4.61%	4.66%	4.71%	0.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPLS and BND in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, CPLS and BND 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 is riskier, CPLS or BND?

CPLS has higher volatility (1.42%) compared to BND (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPLS dropped -4.43% vs BND's -18.58%.

Which ETF is better, CPLS or BND?

On 1-year performance, CPLS leads with 5.29% vs 5.19% for BND. On fees, BND is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BND has been the lower-risk option at 1.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CPLS or BND?

Over the 1-year period, CPLS has performed better with a 5.29% return vs 5.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CPLS or BND?

BND is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for CPLS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CPLS or BND?

CPLS has the higher dividend yield at 4.61%, compared with 3.96% for BND.

What is the main difference between CPLS and BND?

CPLS is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while BND is Total Bond Market. They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for CPLS and 0.03% for BND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 1.37), 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.