VCAIX vs. VTEI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VCAIX (Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) and VTEI (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past year, VCAIX returned 6.58% vs 6.21% for VTEI. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCAIX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VTEI.

Performance

VCAIX vs. VTEI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCAIX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCAIX achieves a 1.13% return, which is significantly lower than VTEI's 1.21% return.

VCAIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 1.13%
• 6M: 1.48%
• 1Y: 6.58%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 2.27%

VTEI

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 1.21%
• 6M: 1.65%
• 1Y: 6.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VCAIX vs. VTEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VCAIX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	1.13%	5.83%	2.87%
VTEI Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.21%	4.59%	1.55%

Correlation

The correlation between VCAIX and VTEI is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2024	0.72

The correlation between VCAIX and VTEI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VCAIX vs. VTEI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCAIX

VCAIX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VCAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VCAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VCAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VCAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
VCAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

VTEI

VTEI Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTEI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VTEI Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VTEI Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VTEI Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VTEI Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

VCAIX vs. VTEI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCAIX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEI). 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.

	VCAIX	VTEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	2.63	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.64	3.99	+0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.79	1.62	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	2.39	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.44	7.83	-0.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCAIX vs. VTEI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCAIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is comparable to the VTEI Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCAIX and VTEI, 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

	VCAIX	VTEI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	2.63	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.31	1.04	+0.27

Drawdowns

VCAIX vs. VTEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCAIX drawdown since its inception was -11.22%, which is greater than VTEI's maximum drawdown of -3.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCAIX and VTEI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCAIX	VTEI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.22%	-3.64%	-7.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.98%	-2.61%	-0.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.25%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.22%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.22%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.01%	-0.76%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.36%	-0.78%	-0.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	0.79%	+0.12%

Volatility

VCAIX vs. VTEI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCAIX) has a higher volatility of 0.86% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEI) at 0.78%. This indicates that VCAIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTEI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCAIX	VTEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.86%	0.78%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.78%	1.71%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26%	2.37%	-0.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.24%	3.04%	+0.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.42%	3.04%	+0.38%

VCAIX vs. VTEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCAIX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than VTEI's 0.08% 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

VCAIX vs. VTEI - Dividend Comparison

VCAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.09%, more than VTEI's 3.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCAIX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	3.09%	3.75%	3.27%	2.49%	2.28%	1.71%	2.19%	2.64%	2.63%	2.56%	2.65%	2.78%
VTEI Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.05%	3.00%	2.65%	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 VCAIX and VTEI in my portfolio?

VCAIX and VTEI have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCAIX or VTEI?

VCAIX has higher volatility (0.86%) compared to VTEI (0.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCAIX dropped -11.22% vs VTEI's -3.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.01 vs 2.63), 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.