VBCA vs. IBHG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBCA (Vanguard Target Maturity 2027 Corporate Bond ETF) and IBHG (iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VBCA is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2027 Maturity US Corporate Constrained Index, while IBHG is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 2027 Term High Yield and Income Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VBCA charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for IBHG.

Performance

VBCA vs. IBHG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Maturity 2027 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCA) and iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF (IBHG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VBCA

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBHG

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 0.96%
• 6M: 1.46%
• 1Y: 4.61%
• 3Y*: 7.37%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VBCA vs. IBHG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
VBCA Vanguard Target Maturity 2027 Corporate Bond ETF	1.00%
IBHG iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF	1.38%

Correlation

The correlation between VBCA and IBHG is 0.65, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2026	0.65

Return for Risk

VBCA vs. IBHG — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBHG

IBHG Risk / Return Rank: 79
IBHG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
IBHG Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IBHG Omega Ratio Rank: 70
IBHG Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
IBHG Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

VBCA vs. IBHG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Maturity 2027 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCA) and iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF (IBHG). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VBCA	IBHG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.20	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	5.67	0.56	+5.10

Drawdowns

VBCA vs. IBHG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBCA drawdown since its inception was -0.19%, smaller than the maximum IBHG drawdown of -13.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBCA and IBHG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBCA	IBHG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.19%	-13.85%	+13.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.73%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.22%	+0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.05%	-2.67%	+2.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.20%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VBCA	IBHG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.58%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	1.53%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97%	2.11%	-1.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.97%	6.37%	-5.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.97%	6.37%	-5.40%

VBCA vs. IBHG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBCA has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than IBHG's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBCA vs. IBHG - Dividend Comparison

VBCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, less than IBHG's 6.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IBHG iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF	6.08%	6.33%	7.02%	6.66%	5.62%	2.13%
VBCA Vanguard Target Maturity 2027 Corporate Bond ETF	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBCA and IBHG in my portfolio?

VBCA and IBHG have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VBCA or IBHG?

On fees, VBCA is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBCA or IBHG?

VBCA is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for IBHG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VBCA or IBHG?

IBHG has the higher dividend yield at 6.08%, compared with 0.42% for VBCA.

What is the main difference between VBCA and IBHG?

VBCA is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while IBHG is High Yield Bonds. VBCA tracks ICE 2027 Maturity US Corporate Constrained Index, while IBHG tracks Bloomberg 2027 Term High Yield and Income Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VBCA and 0.35% for IBHG.