IG vs. VCIT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IG (Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF) and VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds. IG is actively managed, while VCIT is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IG charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCIT.

Performance

IG vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF (IG) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IG

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCIT

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 0.18%
• 6M: 0.07%
• 1Y: 6.13%
• 3Y*: 6.00%
• 5Y*: 1.22%
• 10Y*: 2.93%

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

IG vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IG Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF	0.01%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	-0.46%

Correlation

The correlation between IG and VCIT is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 23, 2026	0.91

Return for Risk

IG vs. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCIT

VCIT Risk / Return Rank: 42
VCIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VCIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VCIT Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VCIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VCIT Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

IG vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF (IG) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IG	VCIT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.19	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.02	0.75	-0.74

Drawdowns

IG vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IG drawdown since its inception was -1.75%, smaller than the maximum VCIT drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IG and VCIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IG	VCIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.75%	-20.56%	+18.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.96%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-6.11%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.56%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-20.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-1.36%	+1.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.54%	-3.16%	+2.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.88%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IG	VCIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.38%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	3.06%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.94%	4.10%	+0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.94%	6.61%	-1.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.94%	6.28%	-1.34%

IG vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IG has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than VCIT's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IG vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison

IG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than VCIT's 4.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IG Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.80%	4.62%	4.43%	3.72%	3.03%	2.87%	2.78%	3.37%	3.61%	3.21%	3.29%	3.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IG and VCIT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, IG and VCIT 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 ETF is better, IG or VCIT?

On fees, VCIT is cheaper at 0.04% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IG or VCIT?

VCIT is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.26% for IG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IG or VCIT?

VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.80%, compared with 0.84% for IG.

What is the main difference between IG and VCIT?

They also come from different issuers: Principal and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for IG and 0.04% for VCIT.