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IGSB vs. VCLT
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IGSB vs. VCLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IGSB (iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - IGSB tracks the ICE BofAML 1-5 Year US Corporate Index while VCLT tracks the Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGSB returned 2.74%/yr vs 2.31%/yr for VCLT. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IGSB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCLT.

Performance

IGSB vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGSB achieves a 0.72% return, which is significantly lower than VCLT's 0.99% return. Over the past 10 years, IGSB has outperformed VCLT with an annualized return of 2.74%, while VCLT has yielded a comparatively lower 2.31% annualized return.

IGSB

1D
-0.06%
1M
0.27%
YTD
0.72%
6M
1.01%
1Y
4.72%
3Y*
5.66%
5Y*
2.43%
10Y*
2.74%

VCLT

1D
-0.35%
1M
1.49%
YTD
0.99%
6M
-0.04%
1Y
7.69%
3Y*
4.34%
5Y*
-1.78%
10Y*
2.31%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IGSB vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IGSB
iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF		0.72%6.96%4.97%6.40%-5.63%-0.56%5.37%7.11%1.25%1.27%
VCLT
Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF		0.99%7.18%-1.90%11.17%-25.50%-1.73%13.27%23.89%-7.04%11.70%

Correlation

The correlation between IGSB and VCLT is 0.79, 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

0.79

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.80

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.78

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.71

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009

0.55

Over the past year, IGSB and VCLT have become more correlated (0.79) than their long-term average of 0.55, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF

Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF

Often compared with IGSB:
IGSB vs. VCSHIGSB vs. LQDIGSB vs. SPSBIGSB vs. IGIBIGSB vs. SLQDIGSB vs. FLDRIGSB vs. AGG
Often compared with VCLT:
VCLT vs. VCITVCLT vs. VGLTVCLT vs. LQDVCLT vs. IGLBVCLT vs. SPLBVCLT vs. SPYVCLT vs. HYG

Return for Risk

IGSB vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IGSB
IGSB Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
IGSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7474
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IGSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 8484
Sortino Ratio Rank
IGSB Omega Ratio Rank: 8181
Omega Ratio Rank
IGSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
IGSB Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
VCLT
VCLT Risk / Return Rank: 2727
Overall Rank
VCLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VCLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
VCLT Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
VCLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 3030
Calmar Ratio Rank
VCLT Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IGSB vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT). 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.

IGSBVCLTDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.46
0.97

+1.49

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.84
1.43

+2.42

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.49

1.17

+0.32

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.25

1.47

+1.78

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.22

3.62

+9.59

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGSB vs. VCLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGSB Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is higher than the VCLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGSB and VCLT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IGSBVCLTDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.46

0.97

+1.49

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.83

-0.14

+0.97

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.79

0.18

+0.61

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.70

0.39

+0.31

Drawdowns

IGSB vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGSB drawdown since its inception was -13.38%, smaller than the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGSB and VCLT.

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Drawdown Indicators

IGSBVCLTDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-13.38%

-34.31%

+20.93%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.46%

-5.25%

+3.79%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.46%

-13.03%

+11.57%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-9.46%

-34.31%

+24.85%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-13.38%

-34.31%

+20.93%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.32%

-14.36%

+14.04%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.85%

-8.16%

+7.31%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.36%

2.13%

-1.77%

Volatility

IGSB vs. VCLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) is 0.57%, while Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that IGSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IGSBVCLTDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.57%

2.31%

-1.74%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.41%

5.75%

-4.34%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.92%

7.92%

-6.00%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.93%

12.78%

-9.85%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

3.46%

12.84%

-9.38%

IGSB vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGSB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLT'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

IGSB vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison

IGSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, less than VCLT's 5.55% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IGSB
iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF		4.58%4.44%4.02%3.26%2.07%1.82%2.36%3.06%2.46%1.65%1.45%1.18%
VCLT
Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF		5.55%5.51%5.19%4.67%4.44%3.07%3.16%3.81%4.55%4.01%4.33%4.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

IGSB and VCLT have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VCLT has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to IGSB (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGSB dropped -13.38% vs VCLT's -34.31%.

On 10-year performance, IGSB leads with 2.74% vs 2.31% for VCLT. On fees, VCLT is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IGSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IGSB has performed better with a 2.74% return vs 2.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VCLT is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for IGSB.

VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 4.58% for IGSB.

IGSB tracks ICE BofAML 1-5 Year US Corporate Index, while VCLT tracks Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IGSB and 0.04% for VCLT.

IGSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 0.97), 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.

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