SHYG vs. VCIT
SHYG (iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SHYG is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield 0-5 Index, while VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SHYG returned 5.18%/yr vs 2.93%/yr for VCIT. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SHYG charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VCIT.
Performance
SHYG vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SHYG achieves a 1.44% return, which is significantly higher than VCIT's 0.18% return. Over the past 10 years, SHYG has outperformed VCIT with an annualized return of 5.18%, while VCIT has yielded a comparatively lower 2.93% annualized return.
SHYG
- 1D
- -0.24%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 1.44%
- 6M
- 1.95%
- 1Y
- 6.50%
- 3Y*
- 8.12%
- 5Y*
- 4.83%
- 10Y*
- 5.18%
VCIT
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 0.28%
- YTD
- 0.18%
- 6M
- 0.07%
- 1Y
- 6.13%
- 3Y*
- 6.00%
- 5Y*
- 1.22%
- 10Y*
- 2.93%
SHYG vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SHYG iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.44% | 7.94% | 8.17% | 10.38% | -4.71% | 4.60% | 3.15% | 9.93% | 0.02% | 5.11% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.18% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -13.98% | -1.77% | 9.46% | 14.10% | -1.74% | 5.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between SHYG and VCIT is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.60 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 18, 2013 | 0.33 |
Over the past year, SHYG and VCIT have become more correlated (0.69) than their long-term average of 0.33, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
SHYG vs. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank
SHYG
VCIT
SHYG vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (SHYG) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). 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.
| SHYG | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.56 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.95 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.27 | +0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.73 | 2.08 | +1.65 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.23 | 6.95 | +9.29 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SHYG | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.07 | 1.50 | +0.56 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 | 0.19 | +0.66 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.81 | 0.47 | +0.34 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.73 | 0.75 | -0.03 |
Drawdowns
SHYG vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SHYG drawdown since its inception was -19.26%, smaller than the maximum VCIT drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHYG and VCIT.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| SHYG | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.26% | -20.56% | +1.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.75% | -2.96% | +1.21% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.53% | -6.11% | +1.58% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.39% | -20.56% | +11.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.26% | -20.56% | +1.30% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.24% | -1.36% | +1.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.44% | -3.16% | +1.72% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.40% | 0.88% | -0.48% |
Volatility
SHYG vs. VCIT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (SHYG) is 0.94%, while Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) has a volatility of 1.38%. This indicates that SHYG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| SHYG | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.94% | 1.38% | -0.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.51% | 3.06% | -0.55% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.16% | 4.10% | -0.94% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.73% | 6.61% | -0.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.42% | 6.28% | +0.14% |
SHYG vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
SHYG has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than VCIT's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
SHYG vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison
SHYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.02%, more than VCIT's 4.80% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SHYG iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 7.02% | 7.03% | 6.93% | 6.54% | 5.57% | 4.83% | 5.07% | 5.33% | 5.90% | 5.49% | 5.53% | 5.17% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.80% | 4.62% | 4.43% | 3.72% | 3.03% | 2.87% | 2.78% | 3.37% | 3.61% | 3.21% | 3.29% | 3.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SHYG and VCIT have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VCIT has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to SHYG (0.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHYG dropped -19.26% vs VCIT's -20.56%.
On 10-year performance, SHYG leads with 5.18% vs 2.93% for VCIT. On fees, VCIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SHYG has been the lower-risk option at 0.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SHYG has performed better with a 5.18% return vs 2.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for SHYG.
SHYG has the higher dividend yield at 7.02%, compared with 4.80% for VCIT.
SHYG is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while VCIT is Corporate Bonds. SHYG tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield 0-5 Index, while VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for SHYG and 0.03% for VCIT.
SHYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.50), 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.
Find the right allocation for SHYG and VCIT
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer