LCTU vs. VCEB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LCTU (BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF) and VCEB (Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LCTU is a ESG fund actively managed by BlackRock, while VCEB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Barclays MSCI US Corp SRI Select Index. LCTU is actively managed, while VCEB is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LCTU returned 12.37%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for VCEB. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LCTU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for VCEB.

Performance

LCTU vs. VCEB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) and Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (VCEB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LCTU achieves a 9.04% return, which is significantly higher than VCEB's 0.32% return.

LCTU

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 9.04%
• 6M: 9.21%
• 1Y: 25.72%
• 3Y*: 21.17%
• 5Y*: 12.37%
• 10Y*: —

VCEB

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 0.32%
• 6M: 0.15%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 5.05%
• 5Y*: 0.51%
• 10Y*: —

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

LCTU vs. VCEB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	9.04%	16.96%	24.00%	25.38%	-20.02%	17.49%
VCEB Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF	0.32%	7.48%	2.23%	8.52%	-15.15%	2.04%

Correlation

The correlation between LCTU and VCEB is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2021	0.31

Return for Risk

LCTU vs. VCEB — Risk / Return Rank

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

LCTU

LCTU Risk / Return Rank: 61
LCTU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
LCTU Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
LCTU Omega Ratio Rank: 62
LCTU Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
LCTU Martin Ratio Rank: 67

VCEB

VCEB Risk / Return Rank: 36
VCEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
VCEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VCEB Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VCEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VCEB Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

LCTU vs. VCEB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) and Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (VCEB). 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.

	LCTU	VCEB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.28	+0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	1.87	+1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.22	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	1.90	+0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.25	5.87	+6.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LCTU vs. VCEB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LCTU Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the VCEB Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LCTU and VCEB, 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

	LCTU	VCEB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	1.28	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.08	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.05	+0.71

Drawdowns

LCTU vs. VCEB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LCTU drawdown since its inception was -25.93%, which is greater than VCEB's maximum drawdown of -21.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LCTU and VCEB.

Drawdown Indicators

	LCTU	VCEB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.93%	-21.60%	-4.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.38%	-2.82%	-6.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.83%	-6.09%	-13.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.93%	-21.39%	-4.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-1.05%	+0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.32%	-7.63%	+1.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	0.91%	+1.20%

Volatility

LCTU vs. VCEB - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) has a higher volatility of 3.04% compared to Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (VCEB) at 1.32%. This indicates that LCTU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCEB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LCTU	VCEB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.04%	1.32%	+1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.36%	3.11%	+6.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	4.19%	+8.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.15%	6.84%	+10.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.02%	6.66%	+10.36%

LCTU vs. VCEB - Expense Ratio Comparison

LCTU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VCEB's 0.12% 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

LCTU vs. VCEB - Dividend Comparison

LCTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than VCEB's 4.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	0.93%	1.02%	1.27%	1.46%	1.63%	2.20%	0.00%
VCEB Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF	4.65%	4.57%	4.47%	3.70%	2.84%	1.69%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LCTU and VCEB in my portfolio?

LCTU and VCEB have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LCTU or VCEB?

LCTU has higher volatility (3.04%) compared to VCEB (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LCTU dropped -25.93% vs VCEB's -21.60%.

Which ETF is better, LCTU or VCEB?

On 5-year performance, LCTU leads with 12.37% vs 0.51% for VCEB. On fees, VCEB is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, VCEB has been the lower-risk option at 1.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LCTU or VCEB?

Over the 5-year period, LCTU has performed better with a 12.37% return vs 0.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LCTU or VCEB?

VCEB is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for LCTU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LCTU or VCEB?

VCEB has the higher dividend yield at 4.65%, compared with 0.93% for LCTU.

What is the main difference between LCTU and VCEB?

LCTU is categorized as ESG, while VCEB is Corporate Bonds. They also come from different issuers: BlackRock and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for LCTU and 0.12% for VCEB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LCTU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.28), 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.