SUSC vs. VTC
SUSC (iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF) and VTC (Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - SUSC tracks the Bloomberg MSCI US Corporate ESG Focus Index while VTC tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SUSC returned 0.19%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for VTC. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SUSC charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTC.
Performance
SUSC vs. VTC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SUSC achieves a 0.58% return, which is significantly lower than VTC's 0.70% return.
SUSC
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- 0.67%
- YTD
- 0.58%
- 6M
- 0.75%
- 1Y
- 5.11%
- 3Y*
- 5.05%
- 5Y*
- 0.19%
- 10Y*
- —
VTC
- 1D
- -0.25%
- 1M
- 0.64%
- YTD
- 0.70%
- 6M
- 0.82%
- 1Y
- 5.20%
- 3Y*
- 5.18%
- 5Y*
- 0.35%
- 10Y*
- —
SUSC vs. VTC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SUSC iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF | 0.58% | 7.57% | 1.91% | 8.58% | -15.95% | -1.57% | 9.57% | 14.43% | -3.13% | 0.90% |
VTC Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF | 0.70% | 7.58% | 2.15% | 8.58% | -15.68% | -1.41% | 9.30% | 14.60% | -2.55% | 0.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between SUSC and VTC is 0.99 - 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 | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2017 | 0.93 |
The correlation between SUSC and VTC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SUSC vs. VTC — Risk / Return Rank
SUSC
VTC
SUSC vs. VTC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSC) and Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC). 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.
| SUSC | VTC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.21 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.78 | 1.81 | -0.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.41 | 5.63 | -0.22 |
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Drawdowns
SUSC vs. VTC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SUSC drawdown since its inception was -22.42%, roughly equal to the maximum VTC drawdown of -22.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SUSC and VTC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SUSC | VTC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.42% | -22.05% | -0.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.87% | -2.88% | +0.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.57% | -6.46% | -0.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.42% | -22.05% | -0.37% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.25% | -0.88% | -0.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.86% | -5.81% | -0.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.95% | 0.92% | +0.03% |
Volatility
SUSC vs. VTC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSC) is 1.12%, while Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC) has a volatility of 1.20%. This indicates that SUSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SUSC | VTC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.12% | 1.20% | -0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.29% | 3.32% | -0.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.37% | 4.34% | +0.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.18% | 7.08% | +0.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.62% | 7.67% | -0.05% |
SUSC vs. VTC - Expense Ratio Comparison
SUSC has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VTC's 0.03% 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
SUSC vs. VTC - Dividend Comparison
SUSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%, less than VTC's 4.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SUSC iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF | 4.49% | 4.37% | 4.34% | 3.83% | 2.97% | 2.21% | 2.19% | 3.07% | 3.33% | 1.33% |
VTC Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF | 4.92% | 4.76% | 4.50% | 3.80% | 3.13% | 2.36% | 2.69% | 3.34% | 3.53% | 0.55% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, SUSC and VTC 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.
VTC has higher volatility (1.20%) compared to SUSC (1.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SUSC dropped -22.42% vs VTC's -22.05%.
On 5-year performance, VTC leads with 0.35% vs 0.19% for SUSC. On fees, VTC is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VTC has performed better with a 0.35% return vs 0.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTC is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for SUSC.
VTC has the higher dividend yield at 4.92%, compared with 4.49% for SUSC.
SUSC tracks Bloomberg MSCI US Corporate ESG Focus Index, while VTC tracks Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for SUSC and 0.03% for VTC.
VTC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 1.18), 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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