VBCD vs. VCLT

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

VBCD (Vanguard Target Maturity 2030 Corporate Bond ETF) and VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds from Vanguard - VBCD tracks the ICE 2030 Maturity US Corporate Constrained Index while VCLT tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBCD charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VCLT.

Performance

VBCD vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Maturity 2030 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCD) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VBCD

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.14%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCLT

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: -1.87%
• 6M: -1.18%
• YTD: -0.41%
• 1Y: 4.45%
• 3Y*: 3.90%
• 5Y*: -2.82%
• 10Y*: 1.67%

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

VBCD vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
VBCD Vanguard Target Maturity 2030 Corporate Bond ETF	0.81%
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.45%

Correlation

The correlation between VBCD and VCLT is 0.84, 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 26, 2026	0.84

Return for Risk

VBCD vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBCD

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

VCLT

VCLT Risk / Return Rank: 17
VCLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VCLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
VCLT Omega Ratio Rank: 15
VCLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VCLT Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

VBCD vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Maturity 2030 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCD) 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.

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.

	VBCD	VCLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.43	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	0.66	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.08	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.64	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	1.54	—

Drawdowns

VBCD vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBCD drawdown since its inception was -1.23%, smaller than the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBCD and VCLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBCD	VCLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.23%	-34.31%	+33.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-5.25%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.03%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.31%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.31%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-15.54%	+15.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.36%	-8.19%	+7.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.19%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VBCD	VCLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.29%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	6.01%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.02%	7.81%	-4.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.02%	12.76%	-9.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.02%	12.84%	-9.82%

VBCD vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBCD has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLT'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

VBCD vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison

VBCD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, less than VCLT's 5.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBCD Vanguard Target Maturity 2030 Corporate Bond ETF	0.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF	5.65%	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

Can I hold both VBCD and VCLT in my portfolio?

VBCD and VCLT have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VBCD or VCLT?

On fees, VCLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBCD or VCLT?

VCLT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for VBCD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VBCD or VCLT?

VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.65%, compared with 0.83% for VBCD.

What is the main difference between VBCD and VCLT?

VBCD tracks ICE 2030 Maturity US Corporate Constrained Index, while VCLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VBCD and 0.03% for VCLT.