IBND vs. VCSH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IBND (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF) and VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - IBND tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate x USD >$1B: Corporate Bond while VCSH tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IBND returned 0.69%/yr vs 2.70%/yr for VCSH. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBND charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCSH.

Performance

IBND vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF (IBND) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBND achieves a -0.64% return, which is significantly lower than VCSH's 0.72% return. Over the past 10 years, IBND has underperformed VCSH with an annualized return of 0.69%, while VCSH has yielded a comparatively higher 2.70% annualized return.

IBND

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: -0.64%
• 6M: 0.40%
• 1Y: 2.89%
• 3Y*: 6.85%
• 5Y*: -1.32%
• 10Y*: 0.69%

VCSH

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 1.11%
• 1Y: 4.64%
• 3Y*: 5.54%
• 5Y*: 2.36%
• 10Y*: 2.70%

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

IBND vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IBND SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF	-0.64%	16.17%	-2.81%	10.38%	-19.44%	-8.40%	11.50%	4.41%	-6.15%	14.84%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.72%	6.77%	4.91%	6.20%	-5.62%	-0.63%	5.13%	7.02%	0.92%	2.17%

Correlation

The correlation between IBND and VCSH is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2010	0.39

Over the past year, IBND and VCSH have become more correlated (0.61) than their long-term average of 0.39, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

IBND vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBND

IBND Risk / Return Rank: 14
IBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
IBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
IBND Omega Ratio Rank: 13
IBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
IBND Martin Ratio Rank: 15

VCSH

VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 76
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

IBND vs. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF (IBND) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). 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.

	IBND	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.36	2.48	-2.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.58	3.90	-3.32
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.49	-0.42
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	3.27	-2.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.41	13.54	-12.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBND vs. VCSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBND Sharpe Ratio is 0.36, which is lower than the VCSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBND and VCSH, 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

	IBND	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36	2.48	-2.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.14	0.82	-0.96
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08	0.81	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	1.02	-0.86

Drawdowns

IBND vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBND drawdown since its inception was -35.62%, which is greater than VCSH's maximum drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBND and VCSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBND	VCSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.62%	-12.86%	-22.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.75%	-1.40%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.18%	-1.40%	-7.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.32%	-9.48%	-24.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.62%	-12.86%	-22.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.05%	-0.24%	-8.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.64%	-0.97%	-9.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	0.34%	+2.11%

Volatility

IBND vs. VCSH - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF (IBND) has a higher volatility of 2.05% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) at 0.57%. This indicates that IBND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBND	VCSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.05%	0.57%	+1.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.13%	1.38%	+4.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.98%	1.88%	+6.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.75%	2.88%	+6.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.94%	3.35%	+5.59%

IBND vs. VCSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBND has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VCSH's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBND vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison

IBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, less than VCSH's 4.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBND SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF	2.73%	2.49%	2.61%	2.08%	0.54%	0.38%	0.45%	0.67%	0.71%	0.34%	0.01%	0.01%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.45%	4.35%	3.96%	3.09%	2.01%	1.81%	2.27%	2.87%	2.65%	2.26%	2.10%	2.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBND and VCSH in my portfolio?

IBND and VCSH have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBND or VCSH?

IBND has higher volatility (2.05%) compared to VCSH (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBND dropped -35.62% vs VCSH's -12.86%.

Which ETF is better, IBND or VCSH?

On 10-year performance, VCSH leads with 2.70% vs 0.69% for IBND. On fees, VCSH is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VCSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBND or VCSH?

Over the 10-year period, VCSH has performed better with a 2.70% return vs 0.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBND or VCSH?

VCSH is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for IBND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBND or VCSH?

VCSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.45%, compared with 2.73% for IBND.

What is the main difference between IBND and VCSH?

IBND tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate x USD >$1B: Corporate Bond, while VCSH tracks Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for IBND and 0.04% for VCSH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 0.36), 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.