VBIUX vs. VCIT
VBIUX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus) and VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both funds - VBIUX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays U.S. 5-10 Year Corp Index. Over the past 10 years, VBIUX returned 1.89%/yr vs 2.93%/yr for VCIT. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.
Performance
VBIUX vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBIUX achieves a -0.04% return, which is significantly lower than VCIT's 0.18% return. Over the past 10 years, VBIUX has underperformed VCIT with an annualized return of 1.89%, while VCIT has yielded a comparatively higher 2.93% annualized return.
VBIUX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.37%
- YTD
- -0.04%
- 6M
- -0.25%
- 1Y
- 5.09%
- 3Y*
- 4.29%
- 5Y*
- 0.29%
- 10Y*
- 1.89%
VCIT
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 0.28%
- YTD
- 0.18%
- 6M
- 0.07%
- 1Y
- 6.13%
- 3Y*
- 6.00%
- 5Y*
- 1.22%
- 10Y*
- 2.93%
VBIUX vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBIUX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus | -0.04% | 8.60% | 1.56% | 5.53% | -13.24% | -2.64% | 9.83% | 10.23% | -0.13% | 3.90% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.18% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -13.98% | -1.77% | 9.46% | 14.10% | -1.74% | 5.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBIUX and VCIT is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2011 | 0.86 |
The correlation between VBIUX and VCIT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VBIUX vs. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank
VBIUX
VCIT
VBIUX vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus (VBIUX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). 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.
| VBIUX | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.36 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.27 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.54 | 2.08 | -0.54 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.54 | 6.95 | -2.40 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VBIUX | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.24 | 1.50 | -0.26 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.05 | 0.19 | -0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 | 0.47 | -0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.47 | 0.75 | -0.29 |
Drawdowns
VBIUX vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBIUX drawdown since its inception was -19.18%, smaller than the maximum VCIT drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBIUX and VCIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBIUX | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.18% | -20.56% | +1.38% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.33% | -2.96% | -0.37% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.05% | -6.11% | +0.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.83% | -20.56% | +1.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.18% | -20.56% | +1.38% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.83% | -1.36% | -0.47% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.09% | -3.16% | -0.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.12% | 0.88% | +0.24% |
Volatility
VBIUX vs. VCIT - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus (VBIUX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) have volatilities of 1.37% and 1.38%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBIUX | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.37% | 1.38% | -0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.98% | 3.06% | -0.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.15% | 4.10% | +0.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.39% | 6.61% | -0.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.38% | 6.28% | -0.90% |
VBIUX vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VBIUX and VCIT have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VBIUX vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison
VBIUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.24%, less than VCIT's 4.80% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBIUX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund Institutional Plus | 4.24% | 4.04% | 3.82% | 2.59% | 2.42% | 3.08% | 2.95% | 2.76% | 2.89% | 2.77% | 3.09% | 3.14% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.80% | 4.62% | 4.43% | 3.72% | 3.03% | 2.87% | 2.78% | 3.37% | 3.61% | 3.21% | 3.29% | 3.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VBIUX and VCIT have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VCIT has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to VBIUX (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBIUX dropped -19.18% vs VCIT's -20.56%.
VCIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.24), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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