MILK vs. VCLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MILK (Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF) and VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - MILK tracks the Solactive Pacer US Cash Cows Bond Index while VCLT tracks the Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, MILK returned 9.23% vs 7.69% for VCLT. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MILK charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCLT.

Performance

MILK vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MILK achieves a 2.18% return, which is significantly higher than VCLT's 0.99% return.

MILK

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 1.10%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: 9.23%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

MILK vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF	2.18%	7.49%	-0.35%
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.99%	7.18%	-0.80%

Correlation

The correlation between MILK and VCLT is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2024	0.95

The correlation between MILK and VCLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MILK vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

MILK

MILK Risk / Return Rank: 52
MILK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
MILK Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
MILK Omega Ratio Rank: 51
MILK Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
MILK Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VCLT

VCLT Risk / Return Rank: 27
VCLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
VCLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
VCLT Omega Ratio Rank: 25
VCLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VCLT Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

MILK vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK) 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.

	MILK	VCLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	0.97	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	1.43	+1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.17	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	1.47	+1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.90	3.62	+5.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MILK vs. VCLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MILK Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is higher than the VCLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MILK 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MILK	VCLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.78	0.97	+0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.14	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.18	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.97	0.39	+0.58

Drawdowns

MILK vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MILK drawdown since its inception was -6.16%, smaller than the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MILK and VCLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	MILK	VCLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.16%	-34.31%	+28.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.75%	-5.25%	+1.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.03%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.31%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.31%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-14.36%	+14.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.09%	-8.16%	+7.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	2.13%	-1.09%

Volatility

MILK vs. VCLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF (MILK) is 1.58%, while Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that MILK 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.

Volatility by Period

	MILK	VCLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.58%	2.31%	-0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.78%	5.75%	-1.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.21%	7.92%	-2.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.69%	12.78%	-6.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.69%	12.84%	-6.15%

MILK vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

MILK has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLT's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

MILK vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison

MILK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.04%, more than VCLT's 5.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MILK Pacer US Cash Cows Bond ETF	7.04%	6.97%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both MILK and VCLT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, MILK and VCLT 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 is riskier, MILK or VCLT?

VCLT has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to MILK (1.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MILK dropped -6.16% vs VCLT's -34.31%.

Which ETF is better, MILK or VCLT?

On 1-year performance, MILK leads with 9.23% vs 7.69% for VCLT. On fees, VCLT is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, MILK has been the lower-risk option at 1.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MILK or VCLT?

Over the 1-year period, MILK has performed better with a 9.23% return vs 7.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MILK or VCLT?

VCLT is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MILK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MILK or VCLT?

MILK has the higher dividend yield at 7.04%, compared with 5.55% for VCLT.

What is the main difference between MILK and VCLT?

MILK tracks Solactive Pacer US Cash Cows Bond Index, while VCLT tracks Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MILK and 0.04% for VCLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MILK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 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.