VBCJ vs. IBDR

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VBCJ (Vanguard Target Maturity 2036 Corporate Bond ETF) and IBDR (iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Corporate ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - VBCJ tracks the ICE 2036 Maturity US Corporate Constrained Index while IBDR tracks the Barclays December 2026 Maturity Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. VBCJ charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBDR.

Performance

VBCJ vs. IBDR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Maturity 2036 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCJ) and iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Corporate ETF (IBDR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VBCJ

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: -0.91%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBDR

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 1.52%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 4.38%
• 3Y*: 5.16%
• 5Y*: 1.52%
• 10Y*: —

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

VBCJ vs. IBDR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
VBCJ Vanguard Target Maturity 2036 Corporate Bond ETF	1.19%
IBDR iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Corporate ETF	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between VBCJ and IBDR is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2026	-0.08

Return for Risk

VBCJ vs. IBDR — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBDR

IBDR Risk / Return Rank: 99
IBDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
IBDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
IBDR Omega Ratio Rank: 99
IBDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
IBDR Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

VBCJ vs. IBDR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Maturity 2036 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCJ) and iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Corporate ETF (IBDR). 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

	VBCJ	IBDR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	6.96	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.08	0.61	+0.46

Drawdowns

VBCJ vs. IBDR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBCJ drawdown since its inception was -2.50%, smaller than the maximum IBDR drawdown of -16.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBCJ and IBDR.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBCJ	IBDR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.50%	-16.06%	+13.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.08%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.08%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.29%	0.00%	-1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.67%	-2.83%	+2.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.02%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VBCJ	IBDR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.16%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.33%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.87%	0.63%	+5.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.87%	3.40%	+2.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.87%	4.86%	+1.01%

VBCJ vs. IBDR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBCJ has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than IBDR's 0.10% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VBCJ vs. IBDR - Dividend Comparison

VBCJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than IBDR's 4.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
IBDR iShares iBonds Dec 2026 Term Corporate ETF	4.13%	4.20%	4.13%	3.41%	2.44%	2.11%	2.61%	3.25%	3.56%	3.22%	0.86%
VBCJ Vanguard Target Maturity 2036 Corporate Bond ETF	0.91%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBCJ and IBDR in my portfolio?

VBCJ and IBDR have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VBCJ or IBDR?

On fees, VBCJ 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, VBCJ or IBDR?

VBCJ is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for IBDR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VBCJ or IBDR?

IBDR has the higher dividend yield at 4.13%, compared with 0.91% for VBCJ.

What is the main difference between VBCJ and IBDR?

VBCJ tracks ICE 2036 Maturity US Corporate Constrained Index, while IBDR tracks Barclays December 2026 Maturity Corporate Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VBCJ and 0.10% for IBDR.