CPLS vs. VPLS

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS).

CPLS and VPLS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. CPLS is an actively managed fund by AllianceBernstein. It was launched on Dec 12, 2023. VPLS is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 7, 2023.

Performance

CPLS vs. VPLS - Performance Comparison

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

CPLS vs. VPLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CPLS AB Core Plus Bond ETF	-0.04%	6.91%	1.65%	1.21%
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	0.02%	7.86%	2.72%	1.46%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CPLS achieves a -0.04% return, which is significantly lower than VPLS's 0.02% return.

CPLS

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: -1.56%
• YTD: -0.04%
• 6M: 0.60%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VPLS

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: -1.81%
• YTD: 0.02%
• 6M: 1.10%
• 1Y: 4.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CPLS vs. VPLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPLS has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VPLS's 0.20% expense ratio.

CPLS

AB Core Plus Bond ETF

VPLS

Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF

Return for Risk

CPLS vs. VPLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPLS

CPLS Risk / Return Rank: 56
CPLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
CPLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
CPLS Omega Ratio Rank: 47
CPLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
CPLS Martin Ratio Rank: 56

VPLS

VPLS Risk / Return Rank: 67
VPLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VPLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VPLS Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VPLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VPLS Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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. VPLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS). 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	VPLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	1.16	-0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	1.61	-0.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.21	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	1.89	-0.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.62	5.99	-0.37
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. VPLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPLS Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is comparable to the VPLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPLS and VPLS, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CPLS	VPLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	1.16	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	1.25	-0.38

Correlation

The correlation between CPLS and VPLS is 0.96, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

CPLS vs. VPLS - Dividend Comparison

CPLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.68%, less than VPLS's 4.77% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CPLS AB Core Plus Bond ETF	4.68%	4.66%	4.71%	0.23%
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	4.77%	4.78%	4.52%	0.18%

Drawdowns

CPLS vs. VPLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPLS drawdown since its inception was -4.43%, which is greater than VPLS's maximum drawdown of -4.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPLS and VPLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPLS	VPLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.43%	-4.17%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.65%	-2.72%	+0.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.59%	-1.81%	+0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.25%	-0.98%	-0.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.86%	-0.02%

Volatility

CPLS vs. VPLS - Volatility Comparison

AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) have volatilities of 1.76% and 1.74%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPLS	VPLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.76%	1.74%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.58%	2.51%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.43%	4.26%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.86%	4.67%	+0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.86%	4.67%	+0.19%