VBND vs. CPLS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VBND (Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF) and CPLS (AB Core Plus Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core-Plus Bond funds. VBND is passively managed, while CPLS is actively managed. Over the past year, VBND returned 6.14% vs 5.29% for CPLS. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VBND charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for CPLS.

Performance

VBND vs. CPLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) and AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VBND having a 0.55% return and CPLS slightly lower at 0.53%.

VBND

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 0.55%
• 6M: 1.02%
• 1Y: 6.14%
• 3Y*: 4.80%
• 5Y*: 0.55%
• 10Y*: 1.60%

CPLS

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.02%
• YTD: 0.53%
• 6M: 0.48%
• 1Y: 5.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VBND vs. CPLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	0.55%	7.31%	1.26%	1.49%
CPLS AB Core Plus Bond ETF	0.53%	6.91%	1.65%	1.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VBND and CPLS is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2023	0.87

The correlation between VBND and CPLS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VBND vs. CPLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBND

VBND Risk / Return Rank: 38
VBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VBND Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VBND Martin Ratio Rank: 34

CPLS

CPLS Risk / Return Rank: 39
CPLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
CPLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
CPLS Omega Ratio Rank: 36
CPLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
CPLS Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

VBND vs. CPLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) and AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS). 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.

	VBND	CPLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.37	+0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	2.08	+0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.24	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	2.07	-0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.43	6.52	-1.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBND vs. CPLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBND Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the CPLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBND and CPLS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VBND	CPLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	1.37	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.87	-0.55

Drawdowns

VBND vs. CPLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBND drawdown since its inception was -18.97%, which is greater than CPLS's maximum drawdown of -4.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBND and CPLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBND	CPLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.97%	-4.43%	-14.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-2.47%	-0.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.60%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.97%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-1.03%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.21%	-1.24%	-2.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.05%	0.78%	+0.27%

Volatility

VBND vs. CPLS - Volatility Comparison

Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF (VBND) has a higher volatility of 1.51% compared to AB Core Plus Bond ETF (CPLS) at 1.42%. This indicates that VBND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CPLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBND	CPLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.51%	1.42%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.94%	2.88%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.39%	3.87%	+0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.12%	4.82%	+1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.45%	4.82%	+0.63%

VBND vs. CPLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBND has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than CPLS's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBND vs. CPLS - Dividend Comparison

VBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.22%, less than CPLS's 4.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CPLS AB Core Plus Bond ETF	4.61%	4.66%	4.71%	0.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBND Vident U.S. Bond Strategy ETF	4.22%	4.22%	4.41%	3.88%	2.55%	1.56%	1.98%	3.14%	2.82%	2.00%	3.12%	1.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBND and CPLS in my portfolio?

VBND and CPLS have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VBND or CPLS?

VBND has higher volatility (1.51%) compared to CPLS (1.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBND dropped -18.97% vs CPLS's -4.43%.

Which ETF is better, VBND or CPLS?

On 1-year performance, VBND leads with 6.14% vs 5.29% for CPLS. On fees, CPLS is cheaper at 0.33% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VBND or CPLS?

Over the 1-year period, VBND has performed better with a 6.14% return vs 5.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBND or CPLS?

CPLS is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for VBND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VBND or CPLS?

CPLS has the higher dividend yield at 4.61%, compared with 4.22% for VBND.

What is the main difference between VBND and CPLS?

They also come from different issuers: Vident and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for VBND and 0.33% for CPLS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.41 vs 1.37), 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.