QLTA vs. VCLT
QLTA (iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF) and VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - QLTA tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa - A Capped Index while VCLT tracks the Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QLTA returned 2.00%/yr vs 2.31%/yr for VCLT. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLTA charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCLT.
Performance
QLTA vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QLTA achieves a 0.31% return, which is significantly lower than VCLT's 0.99% return. Over the past 10 years, QLTA has underperformed VCLT with an annualized return of 2.00%, while VCLT has yielded a comparatively higher 2.31% annualized return.
QLTA
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- 0.50%
- YTD
- 0.31%
- 6M
- 0.04%
- 1Y
- 5.42%
- 3Y*
- 4.51%
- 5Y*
- 0.10%
- 10Y*
- 2.00%
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%
QLTA vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QLTA iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF | 0.31% | 7.36% | 1.23% | 7.60% | -15.14% | -2.32% | 9.62% | 12.54% | -2.27% | 5.69% |
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 QLTA and VCLT is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 17, 2012 | 0.87 |
The correlation between QLTA and VCLT shifts across timeframes, from 0.87 (all time) to 0.98 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QLTA vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank
QLTA
VCLT
QLTA vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) 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.
| QLTA | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.17 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.94 | 1.47 | +0.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.80 | 3.62 | +2.17 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QLTA | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.25 | 0.97 | +0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.01 | -0.14 | +0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.29 | 0.18 | +0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.40 | 0.39 | +0.01 |
Drawdowns
QLTA vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QLTA drawdown since its inception was -22.27%, smaller than the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLTA and VCLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QLTA | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.27% | -34.31% | +12.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.81% | -5.25% | +2.44% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.66% | -13.03% | +6.37% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.36% | -34.31% | +12.95% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.27% | -34.31% | +12.04% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.41% | -14.36% | +10.95% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.68% | -8.16% | +3.48% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.94% | 2.13% | -1.19% |
Volatility
QLTA vs. VCLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) is 1.37%, while Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that QLTA 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
| QLTA | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.37% | 2.31% | -0.94% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.19% | 5.75% | -2.56% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.37% | 7.92% | -3.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.22% | 12.78% | -5.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.02% | 12.84% | -5.82% |
QLTA vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
QLTA has a 0.15% 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
QLTA vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison
QLTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.47%, less than VCLT's 5.55% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QLTA iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF | 4.47% | 4.33% | 4.11% | 3.39% | 2.79% | 1.96% | 2.31% | 2.99% | 3.09% | 2.67% | 2.59% | 2.99% |
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
With a correlation of 0.97, QLTA 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.
VCLT has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to QLTA (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLTA dropped -22.27% vs VCLT's -34.31%.
On 10-year performance, VCLT leads with 2.31% vs 2.00% for QLTA. On fees, VCLT is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, QLTA has been the lower-risk option at 1.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VCLT has performed better with a 2.31% return vs 2.00%. 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 0.15% for QLTA.
VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 4.47% for QLTA.
QLTA tracks Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa - A Capped Index, while VCLT tracks Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QLTA and 0.04% for VCLT.
QLTA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 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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