EVTR vs. VCOBX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

EVTR (Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF) and VCOBX (Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - EVTR is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Eaton Vance, while VCOBX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past year, EVTR returned 5.42% vs 4.91% for VCOBX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EVTR charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCOBX.

Performance

EVTR vs. VCOBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR) and Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

As of year-to-date, both investments have demonstrated similar returns, with EVTR at 0.43% and VCOBX at 0.43%.

EVTR

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.56%
• 1Y: 5.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCOBX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.52%
• 1Y: 4.91%
• 3Y*: 4.84%
• 5Y*: 0.55%
• 10Y*: 2.17%

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

EVTR vs. VCOBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EVTR Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF	0.43%	8.10%	4.07%
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares	0.43%	7.73%	3.19%

Correlation

The correlation between EVTR and VCOBX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2024	0.94

The correlation between EVTR and VCOBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EVTR vs. VCOBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EVTR

EVTR Risk / Return Rank: 42
EVTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
EVTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
EVTR Omega Ratio Rank: 42
EVTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
EVTR Martin Ratio Rank: 39

VCOBX

VCOBX Risk / Return Rank: 28
VCOBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
VCOBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VCOBX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
VCOBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VCOBX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

EVTR vs. VCOBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR) and Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX). 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.

	EVTR	VCOBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.52	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	2.26	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.27	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	2.13	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.03	6.33	-0.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EVTR vs. VCOBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EVTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the VCOBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EVTR and VCOBX, 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

	EVTR	VCOBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	1.52	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.34	0.48	+0.86

Drawdowns

EVTR vs. VCOBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVTR drawdown since its inception was -4.08%, smaller than the maximum VCOBX drawdown of -18.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVTR and VCOBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVTR	VCOBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.08%	-18.14%	+14.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.86%	-2.62%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.63%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.03%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.30%	-1.41%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	-4.18%	+3.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	0.88%	+0.02%

Volatility

EVTR vs. VCOBX - Volatility Comparison

Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF (EVTR) has a higher volatility of 1.41% compared to Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX) at 1.29%. This indicates that EVTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCOBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EVTR	VCOBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.41%	1.29%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.77%	2.63%	+0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.66%	3.67%	-0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.30%	5.78%	-1.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.30%	4.76%	-0.46%

EVTR vs. VCOBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EVTR has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VCOBX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

EVTR vs. VCOBX - Dividend Comparison

EVTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, less than VCOBX's 4.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
EVTR Eaton Vance Total Return Bond ETF	4.67%	4.51%	4.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.74%	4.80%	5.04%	4.44%	3.01%	1.23%	3.09%	3.08%	3.10%	2.20%	2.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EVTR and VCOBX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, EVTR and VCOBX 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, EVTR or VCOBX?

EVTR has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to VCOBX (1.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EVTR dropped -4.08% vs VCOBX's -18.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCOBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.50), 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.