ISHIX vs. VLTCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISHIX (Federated Hermes Corporate Bond Fund) and VLTCX (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Corporate Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, ISHIX returned 2.76%/yr vs 2.42%/yr for VLTCX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ISHIX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VLTCX.

Performance

ISHIX vs. VLTCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes Corporate Bond Fund (ISHIX) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLTCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISHIX achieves a 0.05% return, which is significantly lower than VLTCX's 1.22% return. Over the past 10 years, ISHIX has outperformed VLTCX with an annualized return of 2.76%, while VLTCX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.42% annualized return.

ISHIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 0.05%
• 6M: 0.36%
• 1Y: 5.20%
• 3Y*: 4.58%
• 5Y*: 0.41%
• 10Y*: 2.76%

VLTCX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 1.99%
• YTD: 1.22%
• 6M: 0.35%
• 1Y: 8.16%
• 3Y*: 4.67%
• 5Y*: -1.46%
• 10Y*: 2.42%

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

ISHIX vs. VLTCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISHIX Federated Hermes Corporate Bond Fund	0.05%	6.94%	2.06%	7.72%	-14.64%	-0.07%	8.83%	13.86%	-2.94%	6.63%
VLTCX Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.22%	7.27%	-1.47%	11.05%	-25.77%	-1.16%	13.68%	23.19%	-6.85%	12.40%

Correlation

The correlation between ISHIX and VLTCX is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.83

Over the past year, the correlation between ISHIX and VLTCX has dropped to 0.36 - well below their long-term average of 0.83, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ISHIX vs. VLTCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISHIX

ISHIX Risk / Return Rank: 24
ISHIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
ISHIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
ISHIX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
ISHIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
ISHIX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

VLTCX

VLTCX Risk / Return Rank: 16
VLTCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
VLTCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
VLTCX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VLTCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VLTCX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

ISHIX vs. VLTCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes Corporate Bond Fund (ISHIX) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLTCX). 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.

	ISHIX	VLTCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.11	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	1.62	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.19	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	1.60	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.39	3.93	+1.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISHIX vs. VLTCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISHIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the VLTCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISHIX and VLTCX, 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

	ISHIX	VLTCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	1.11	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	-0.12	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.23	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.23	0.45	+0.78

Drawdowns

ISHIX vs. VLTCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISHIX drawdown since its inception was -21.10%, smaller than the maximum VLTCX drawdown of -34.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISHIX and VLTCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISHIX	VLTCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.10%	-34.56%	+13.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.12%	-5.29%	+2.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.32%	-12.87%	+7.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.00%	-34.56%	+14.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.00%	-34.56%	+14.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-13.80%	+12.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.67%	-8.04%	+5.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	2.15%	-1.18%

Volatility

ISHIX vs. VLTCX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Federated Hermes Corporate Bond Fund (ISHIX) is 1.20%, while Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLTCX) has a volatility of 2.46%. This indicates that ISHIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VLTCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ISHIX	VLTCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.20%	2.46%	-1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.65%	5.52%	-2.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.68%	7.68%	-4.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.77%	11.87%	-6.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.16%	10.60%	-5.44%

ISHIX vs. VLTCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISHIX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than VLTCX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISHIX vs. VLTCX - Dividend Comparison

ISHIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.42%, less than VLTCX's 5.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISHIX Federated Hermes Corporate Bond Fund	3.42%	3.34%	3.26%	3.45%	3.63%	3.16%	3.15%	3.62%	3.72%	3.92%	4.12%	5.59%
VLTCX Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.50%	5.48%	5.58%	4.65%	4.41%	3.03%	3.15%	3.82%	4.56%	4.01%	4.37%	4.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISHIX and VLTCX in my portfolio?

ISHIX and VLTCX have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISHIX or VLTCX?

VLTCX has higher volatility (2.46%) compared to ISHIX (1.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISHIX dropped -21.10% vs VLTCX's -34.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISHIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 vs 1.11), 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.