CPLS vs. VBND

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CPLS (AB Core Plus Bond ETF) and VBND (Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. CPLS is actively managed, while VBND is passively managed. Over the past year, CPLS returned 5.29% vs 6.14% for VBND. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CPLS charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for VBND.

Performance

CPLS vs. VBND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) and Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with CPLS having a 0.53% return and VBND slightly higher at 0.55%.

CPLS

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

VBND

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 0.55%
• 6M: 1.02%
• 1Y: 6.14%
• 3Y*: 4.80%
• 5Y*: 0.55%
• 10Y*: 1.60%

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

CPLS vs. VBND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CPLS AB Core Plus Bond ETF	0.53%	6.91%	1.65%	1.21%
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	0.55%	7.31%	1.26%	1.49%

Correlation

The correlation between CPLS and VBND is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2023	0.87

The correlation between CPLS and VBND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CPLS vs. VBND — 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

VBND

VBND Risk / Return Rank: 38
VBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VBND Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VBND Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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. VBND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) and Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND). 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	VBND	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.41	-0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	2.14	-0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.25	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	2.01	+0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.52	5.43	+1.09
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. VBND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPLS Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the VBND Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPLS and VBND, 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	VBND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	1.41	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.09	—
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	0.32	+0.55

Drawdowns

CPLS vs. VBND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPLS drawdown since its inception was -4.43%, smaller than the maximum VBND drawdown of -18.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPLS and VBND.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPLS	VBND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.43%	-18.97%	+14.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.47%	-2.82%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-4.60%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.97%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.03%	-0.71%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.24%	-4.21%	+2.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	1.05%	-0.27%

Volatility

CPLS vs. VBND - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) is 1.42%, while Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) has a volatility of 1.51%. This indicates that CPLS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPLS	VBND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.42%	1.51%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	2.94%	-0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.87%	4.39%	-0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.82%	6.12%	-1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.82%	5.45%	-0.63%

CPLS vs. VBND - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPLS has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than VBND's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPLS vs. VBND - Dividend Comparison

CPLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, more than VBND's 4.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	4.22%	4.22%	4.41%	3.88%	2.55%	1.56%	1.98%	3.14%	2.82%	2.00%	3.12%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPLS and VBND in my portfolio?

CPLS and VBND have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CPLS or VBND?

VBND has higher volatility (1.51%) compared to CPLS (1.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPLS dropped -4.43% vs VBND's -18.97%.

Which ETF is better, CPLS or VBND?

On 1-year performance, VBND leads with 6.14% vs 5.29% for CPLS. On fees, CPLS is cheaper at 0.33% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CPLS or VBND?

Over the 1-year period, VBND has performed better with a 6.14% return vs 5.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CPLS or VBND?

CPLS is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for VBND.

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

CPLS has the higher dividend yield at 4.61%, compared with 4.22% for VBND.

What is the main difference between CPLS and VBND?

They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and Vident. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for CPLS and 0.41% for VBND.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.41 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.