VBCA vs. VCSH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBCA (Vanguard Target Maturity 2027 Corporate Bond ETF) and VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds from Vanguard - VBCA tracks the ICE 2027 Maturity US Corporate Constrained Index while VCSH tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBCA charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCSH.

Performance

VBCA vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Maturity 2027 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCA) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). 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*: —

VCSH

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.95%
• 1Y: 4.59%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.32%
• 10Y*: 2.70%

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

VBCA vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
VBCA Vanguard Target Maturity 2027 Corporate Bond ETF	1.00%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	1.10%

Correlation

The correlation between VBCA and VCSH is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2026	0.87

Return for Risk

VBCA vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCSH

VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 74
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Maturity 2027 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCA) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). 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	VCSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	5.67	1.02	+4.65

Drawdowns

VBCA vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBCA drawdown since its inception was -0.19%, smaller than the maximum VCSH drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBCA and VCSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBCA	VCSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.19%	-12.86%	+12.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-1.40%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.40%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.48%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-12.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.32%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.05%	-0.97%	+0.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.34%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VBCA	VCSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.57%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	1.38%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97%	1.88%	-0.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.97%	2.88%	-1.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.97%	3.35%	-2.38%

VBCA vs. VCSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBCA has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VCSH's 0.04% 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

VBCA vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison

VBCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, less than VCSH's 4.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBCA Vanguard Target Maturity 2027 Corporate Bond ETF	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.45%	4.35%	3.96%	3.09%	2.01%	1.81%	2.27%	2.87%	2.65%	2.26%	2.10%	2.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBCA and VCSH in my portfolio?

VBCA and VCSH have a correlation of 0.87, 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 VCSH?

On fees, VCSH is cheaper at 0.04% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBCA or VCSH?

VCSH is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for VBCA.

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

VCSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.45%, compared with 0.42% for VBCA.

What is the main difference between VBCA and VCSH?

VBCA tracks ICE 2027 Maturity US Corporate Constrained Index, while VCSH tracks Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VBCA and 0.04% for VCSH.