VBCE vs. VCLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBCE (Vanguard Target Maturity 2031 Corporate Bond ETF) and VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds from Vanguard - VBCE tracks the ICE 2031 Maturity US Corporate Constrained Index while VCLT tracks the Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBCE charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VCLT.

Performance

VBCE vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Maturity 2031 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCE) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VBCE

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

VBCE vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
VBCE Vanguard Target Maturity 2031 Corporate Bond ETF	1.32%
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF	2.79%

Correlation

The correlation between VBCE and VCLT is 0.85, 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	0.85

Return for Risk

VBCE vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCLT

VCLT Risk / Return Rank: 27
VCLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
VCLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
VCLT Omega Ratio Rank: 25
VCLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VCLT Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

VBCE vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Maturity 2031 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCE) 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VBCE	VCLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.97	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.14	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.18	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.04	0.39	+1.65

Drawdowns

VBCE vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBCE drawdown since its inception was -1.53%, smaller than the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBCE and VCLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBCE	VCLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.53%	-34.31%	+32.78%
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	-0.65%	-14.36%	+13.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.44%	-8.16%	+7.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.13%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VBCE	VCLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.31%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	5.75%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.60%	7.92%	-4.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.60%	12.78%	-9.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.60%	12.84%	-9.24%

VBCE vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

VBCE vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison

VBCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%, less than VCLT's 5.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBCE Vanguard Target Maturity 2031 Corporate Bond ETF	0.47%	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	5.55%	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

Can I hold both VBCE and VCLT in my portfolio?

VBCE and VCLT have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VBCE or VCLT?

On fees, VCLT 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, VBCE or VCLT?

VCLT is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for VBCE.

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

VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 0.47% for VBCE.

What is the main difference between VBCE and VCLT?

VBCE tracks ICE 2031 Maturity US Corporate Constrained Index, while VCLT tracks Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VBCE and 0.04% for VCLT.