USIG vs. VCLT
USIG (iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF) and VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - USIG tracks the ICE BofA US Corporate while VCLT tracks the Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, USIG returned 2.63%/yr vs 2.31%/yr for VCLT. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.
Performance
USIG vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USIG achieves a 0.56% return, which is significantly lower than VCLT's 0.99% return. Over the past 10 years, USIG has outperformed VCLT with an annualized return of 2.63%, while VCLT has yielded a comparatively lower 2.31% annualized return.
USIG
- 1D
- -0.23%
- 1M
- 0.56%
- YTD
- 0.56%
- 6M
- 0.37%
- 1Y
- 6.04%
- 3Y*
- 5.46%
- 5Y*
- 0.72%
- 10Y*
- 2.63%
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%
USIG vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USIG iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 0.56% | 7.86% | 2.56% | 8.71% | -15.30% | -1.34% | 9.44% | 13.99% | -2.21% | 5.75% |
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 USIG 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 | 0.97 |
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 | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.88 |
The correlation between USIG and VCLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
USIG vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank
USIG
VCLT
USIG vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (USIG) 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.
| USIG | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.49 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.74 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.17 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.17 | 1.47 | +0.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.07 | 3.62 | +3.45 |
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
| USIG | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.47 | 0.97 | +0.49 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.11 | -0.14 | +0.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.39 | 0.18 | +0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.54 | 0.39 | +0.14 |
Drawdowns
USIG vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USIG drawdown since its inception was -22.21%, smaller than the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USIG and VCLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| USIG | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.21% | -34.31% | +12.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.79% | -5.25% | +2.46% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.10% | -13.03% | +6.93% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.45% | -34.31% | +12.86% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -21.45% | -34.31% | +12.86% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.97% | -14.36% | +13.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.42% | -8.16% | +4.74% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.86% | 2.13% | -1.27% |
Volatility
USIG vs. VCLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (USIG) is 1.27%, while Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that USIG 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
| USIG | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.27% | 2.31% | -1.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.04% | 5.75% | -2.71% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.13% | 7.92% | -3.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.82% | 12.78% | -5.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.82% | 12.84% | -6.02% |
USIG vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both USIG and VCLT have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
USIG vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison
USIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, less than VCLT's 5.55% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USIG iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 4.74% | 4.62% | 4.51% | 3.94% | 3.14% | 2.33% | 2.82% | 3.37% | 3.44% | 3.03% | 2.87% | 3.24% |
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, USIG 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 USIG (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USIG dropped -22.21% vs VCLT's -34.31%.
On 10-year performance, USIG leads with 2.63% vs 2.31% for VCLT. Both ETFs have the same 0.04% expense ratio. On volatility, USIG has been the lower-risk option at 1.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, USIG has performed better with a 2.63% return vs 2.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
USIG and VCLT have the same expense ratio: 0.04% per year.
VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 4.74% for USIG.
USIG tracks ICE BofA US Corporate, while VCLT tracks Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard.
USIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 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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