RCB.AX vs. VCF.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

RCB.AX (Russell Investments Australian Select Corporate Bond ETF) and VCF.AX (Vanguard International Credit Securities Index (Hedged) ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - RCB.AX tracks the Russell Investments Australian Select Corporate Bond Index while VCF.AX tracks the Vanguard International Credit Securities Index (Hedged) Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RCB.AX returned 2.84%/yr vs 1.42%/yr for VCF.AX. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

RCB.AX vs. VCF.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Russell Investments Australian Select Corporate Bond ETF (RCB.AX) and Vanguard International Credit Securities Index (Hedged) ETF (VCF.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RCB.AX achieves a 1.68% return, which is significantly higher than VCF.AX's 0.11% return. Over the past 10 years, RCB.AX has outperformed VCF.AX with an annualized return of 2.84%, while VCF.AX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.42% annualized return.

RCB.AX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.56%
• 6M: 1.48%
• YTD: 1.68%
• 1Y: 1.93%
• 3Y*: 4.54%
• 5Y*: 1.99%
• 10Y*: 2.84%

VCF.AX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -0.36%
• 6M: 0.65%
• YTD: 0.11%
• 1Y: 2.71%
• 3Y*: 3.99%
• 5Y*: -0.67%
• 10Y*: 1.42%

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

RCB.AX vs. VCF.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RCB.AX Russell Investments Australian Select Corporate Bond ETF	1.68%	4.03%	4.73%	5.33%	-4.29%	-1.83%	5.58%	6.27%	2.87%	3.97%
VCF.AX Vanguard International Credit Securities Index (Hedged) ETF	0.11%	5.14%	2.46%	6.18%	-14.76%	-1.74%	5.75%	9.70%	-0.19%	4.93%

Correlation

The correlation between RCB.AX and VCF.AX 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	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2015	0.26

The correlation between RCB.AX and VCF.AX shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (all time) to 0.48 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RCB.AX vs. VCF.AX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RCB.AX

RCB.AX Risk / Return Rank: 19
RCB.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
RCB.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
RCB.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
RCB.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
RCB.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

VCF.AX

VCF.AX Risk / Return Rank: 18
VCF.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
VCF.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
VCF.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VCF.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VCF.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

RCB.AX vs. VCF.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Russell Investments Australian Select Corporate Bond ETF (RCB.AX) and Vanguard International Credit Securities Index (Hedged) ETF (VCF.AX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	RCB.AX	VCF.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.53	0.40	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.81	0.64	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.11	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	0.68	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.65	1.60	+0.05

RCB.AX vs. VCF.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RCB.AX Sharpe Ratio is 0.53, which is higher than the VCF.AX Sharpe Ratio of 0.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RCB.AX and VCF.AX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

RCB.AX vs. VCF.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RCB.AX drawdown since its inception was -11.09%, smaller than the maximum VCF.AX drawdown of -19.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RCB.AX and VCF.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RCB.AX	VCF.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.09%	-19.89%	+8.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.86%	-3.98%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.86%	-3.98%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.30%	-19.78%	+11.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.09%	-19.89%	+8.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-4.09%	+4.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.39%	-5.07%	+3.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.18%	1.70%	-0.52%

Volatility

RCB.AX vs. VCF.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Russell Investments Australian Select Corporate Bond ETF (RCB.AX) is 0.59%, while Vanguard International Credit Securities Index (Hedged) ETF (VCF.AX) has a volatility of 0.80%. This indicates that RCB.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCF.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RCB.AX	VCF.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.59%	0.80%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.67%	6.37%	-3.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.61%	6.77%	-3.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.68%	5.73%	-2.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.41%	6.49%	-1.08%

Dividends

RCB.AX vs. VCF.AX - Dividend Comparison

RCB.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, less than VCF.AX's 8.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RCB.AX Russell Investments Australian Select Corporate Bond ETF	4.43%	4.68%	3.76%	1.86%	0.40%	1.30%	4.18%	3.80%	2.94%	4.22%	3.44%	3.57%
VCF.AX Vanguard International Credit Securities Index (Hedged) ETF	8.92%	3.10%	2.57%	2.36%	2.37%	9.24%	6.57%	2.02%	3.80%	9.48%	4.16%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RCB.AX and VCF.AX in my portfolio?

RCB.AX and VCF.AX 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.

What is the main difference between RCB.AX and VCF.AX?

RCB.AX tracks Russell Investments Australian Select Corporate Bond Index, while VCF.AX tracks Vanguard International Credit Securities Index (Hedged) Index. They also come from different issuers: Russell and Vanguard.