VCEB vs. VGAVX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VCEB (Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF) and VGAVX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VCEB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Barclays MSCI US Corp SRI Select Index, while VGAVX is a Government Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VCEB returned 0.36%/yr vs 2.24%/yr for VGAVX. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCEB charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VGAVX.

Performance

VCEB vs. VGAVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (VCEB) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCEB achieves a 0.51% return, which is significantly lower than VGAVX's 1.96% return.

VCEB

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 0.51%
• 6M: 0.62%
• 1Y: 4.65%
• 3Y*: 5.04%
• 5Y*: 0.36%
• 10Y*: —

VGAVX

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 1.96%
• 6M: 2.14%
• 1Y: 10.50%
• 3Y*: 9.32%
• 5Y*: 2.24%
• 10Y*: 3.62%

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

VCEB vs. VGAVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VCEB Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF	0.51%	7.48%	2.23%	8.52%	-15.15%	-1.99%	2.45%
VGAVX Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.96%	12.98%	6.27%	10.44%	-16.68%	-1.74%	5.58%

Correlation

The correlation between VCEB and VGAVX is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2020	0.67

The correlation between VCEB and VGAVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VCEB vs. VGAVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCEB

VCEB Risk / Return Rank: 33
VCEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VCEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VCEB Omega Ratio Rank: 30
VCEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
VCEB Martin Ratio Rank: 35

VGAVX

VGAVX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VGAVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VGAVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VGAVX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
VGAVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VGAVX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

VCEB vs. VGAVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (VCEB) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VCEB	VGAVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	2.59	-1.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	4.07	-2.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.52	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.65	2.72	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.97	10.88	-5.91

VCEB vs. VGAVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCEB Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is lower than the VGAVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCEB and VGAVX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VCEB vs. VGAVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCEB drawdown since its inception was -21.60%, smaller than the maximum VGAVX drawdown of -26.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCEB and VGAVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCEB	VGAVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.60%	-26.77%	+5.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-3.97%	+1.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.09%	-7.11%	+1.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.39%	-26.77%	+5.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.77%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.86%	-0.35%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.57%	-4.66%	-2.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.99%	-0.05%

Volatility

VCEB vs. VGAVX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (VCEB) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX) have volatilities of 1.21% and 1.22%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VCEB	VGAVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.21%	1.22%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.21%	3.43%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.20%	4.19%	+0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.84%	6.33%	+0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.64%	6.38%	+0.26%

VCEB vs. VGAVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCEB has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than VGAVX's 0.20% 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

VCEB vs. VGAVX - Dividend Comparison

VCEB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.64%, less than VGAVX's 5.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCEB Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF	4.64%	4.57%	4.47%	3.70%	2.84%	1.69%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGAVX Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.77%	5.88%	6.56%	5.50%	5.29%	4.27%	4.20%	4.60%	4.54%	4.62%	4.73%	4.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCEB and VGAVX in my portfolio?

VCEB and VGAVX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCEB or VGAVX?

VGAVX has higher volatility (1.22%) compared to VCEB (1.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCEB dropped -21.60% vs VGAVX's -26.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGAVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 1.11), 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.