VCIT vs. BBUS

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and BBUS (JP Morgan Betabuilders U.S. Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while BBUS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VCIT returned 1.04%/yr vs 13.01%/yr for BBUS. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VCIT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for BBUS.

Performance

VCIT vs. BBUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and JP Morgan Betabuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BBUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCIT achieves a -0.26% return, which is significantly lower than BBUS's 8.45% return.

VCIT

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: -0.79%
• YTD: -0.26%
• 6M: 0.06%
• 1Y: 5.98%
• 3Y*: 6.04%
• 5Y*: 1.04%
• 10Y*: 2.85%

BBUS

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 8.40%
• 1Y: 24.33%
• 3Y*: 21.53%
• 5Y*: 13.01%
• 10Y*: —

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

VCIT vs. BBUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	-0.26%	9.34%	3.20%	8.98%	-13.98%	-1.77%	9.46%	9.97%
BBUS JP Morgan Betabuilders U.S. Equity ETF	8.45%	17.77%	24.89%	27.20%	-19.46%	27.13%	20.69%	16.53%

Correlation

The correlation between VCIT and BBUS is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 2019	0.25

The correlation between VCIT and BBUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (all time) to 0.42 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCIT vs. BBUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCIT

VCIT Risk / Return Rank: 46
VCIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
VCIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VCIT Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VCIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VCIT Martin Ratio Rank: 44

BBUS

BBUS Risk / Return Rank: 67
BBUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
BBUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
BBUS Omega Ratio Rank: 68
BBUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
BBUS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

VCIT vs. BBUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and JP Morgan Betabuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BBUS). 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.

	VCIT	BBUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	2.02	-0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	2.72	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.37	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	2.65	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.67	12.09	-5.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCIT vs. BBUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is comparable to the BBUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCIT and BBUS, 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

	VCIT	BBUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	2.02	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.77	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.82	-0.07

Drawdowns

VCIT vs. BBUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCIT drawdown since its inception was -20.56%, smaller than the maximum BBUS drawdown of -35.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIT and BBUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCIT	BBUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.56%	-35.35%	+14.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.96%	-9.21%	+6.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.11%	-19.01%	+12.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.56%	-25.46%	+4.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.79%	-2.68%	+0.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.16%	-5.45%	+2.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	2.02%	-1.12%

Volatility

VCIT vs. BBUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) is 1.39%, while JP Morgan Betabuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BBUS) has a volatility of 3.78%. This indicates that VCIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BBUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCIT	BBUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	3.78%	-2.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.10%	9.37%	-6.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.07%	12.15%	-8.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.61%	17.07%	-10.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.28%	19.60%	-13.32%

VCIT vs. BBUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCIT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is higher than BBUS's 0.02% 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

VCIT vs. BBUS - Dividend Comparison

VCIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.82%, more than BBUS's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBUS JP Morgan Betabuilders U.S. Equity ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.38%	1.57%	1.11%	1.43%	1.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.82%	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

Can I hold both VCIT and BBUS in my portfolio?

VCIT and BBUS have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCIT or BBUS?

BBUS has higher volatility (3.78%) compared to VCIT (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIT dropped -20.56% vs BBUS's -35.35%.

Which ETF is better, VCIT or BBUS?

On 5-year performance, BBUS leads with 13.01% vs 1.04% for VCIT. On fees, BBUS is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, VCIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VCIT or BBUS?

Over the 5-year period, BBUS has performed better with a 13.01% return vs 1.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VCIT or BBUS?

BBUS is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.03% for VCIT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VCIT or BBUS?

VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.82%, compared with 1.00% for BBUS.

What is the main difference between VCIT and BBUS?

VCIT is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while BBUS is Large Cap Growth Equities. VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while BBUS tracks Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VCIT and 0.02% for BBUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.48), 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.