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VCIT vs. IJK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VCIT vs. IJK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and IJK (iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays U.S. 5-10 Year Corp Index, while IJK is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCIT returned 2.93%/yr vs 11.55%/yr for IJK. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VCIT charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for IJK.

Performance

VCIT vs. IJK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCIT achieves a 0.18% return, which is significantly lower than IJK's 19.01% return. Over the past 10 years, VCIT has underperformed IJK with an annualized return of 2.93%, while IJK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.55% annualized return.

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%

IJK

1D
0.15%
1M
5.82%
YTD
19.01%
6M
19.31%
1Y
29.83%
3Y*
17.99%
5Y*
8.57%
10Y*
11.55%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VCIT vs. IJK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
IJK
iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF		19.01%7.28%15.68%17.41%-19.03%18.68%22.45%25.96%-10.53%19.64%

Correlation

The correlation between VCIT and IJK 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

0.33

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.29

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.18

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009

0.05

Over the past year, VCIT and IJK have become more correlated (0.42) than their long-term average of 0.05, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF

iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF

Often compared with VCIT:
VCIT vs. BNDVCIT vs. LQDVCIT vs. IGIBVCIT vs. VTCVCIT vs. VCLTVCIT vs. SPIBVCIT vs. VTEB
Often compared with IJK:
IJK vs. IJHIJK vs. VOTIJK vs. IWPIJK vs. IMCGIJK vs. VOIJK vs. ^GSPCIJK vs. VUG

Return for Risk

VCIT vs. IJK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VCIT
VCIT Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
VCIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4242
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VCIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
VCIT Omega Ratio Rank: 4040
Omega Ratio Rank
VCIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 4141
Calmar Ratio Rank
VCIT Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
Martin Ratio Rank
IJK
IJK Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
IJK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJK Sortino Ratio Rank: 5151
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJK Omega Ratio Rank: 4848
Omega Ratio Rank
IJK Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJK Martin Ratio Rank: 6565
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IJK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK). 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.

VCITIJKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.50
1.76

-0.26

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.22
2.53

-0.31

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.31

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.08

3.02

-0.94

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.95

11.93

-4.99

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. IJK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the IJK Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCIT and IJK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VCITIJKDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.50

1.76

-0.26

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.19

0.42

-0.23

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.47

0.55

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.75

0.37

+0.38

Drawdowns

VCIT vs. IJK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCIT drawdown since its inception was -20.56%, smaller than the maximum IJK drawdown of -54.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIT and IJK.

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Drawdown Indicators

VCITIJKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-20.56%

-54.47%

+33.91%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.96%

-9.92%

+6.96%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-6.11%

-25.63%

+19.52%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.56%

-29.24%

+8.68%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-20.56%

-39.25%

+18.69%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.36%

0.00%

-1.36%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.16%

-10.80%

+7.64%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.88%

2.51%

-1.63%

Volatility

VCIT vs. IJK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) is 1.38%, while iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) has a volatility of 5.15%. This indicates that VCIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IJK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VCITIJKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.38%

5.15%

-3.77%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.06%

13.16%

-10.10%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.10%

17.03%

-12.93%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.61%

20.69%

-14.08%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

6.28%

21.06%

-14.78%

VCIT vs. IJK - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCIT has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than IJK's 0.17% 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

VCIT vs. IJK - Dividend Comparison

VCIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.80%, more than IJK's 0.54% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IJK
iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth ETF		0.54%0.66%0.79%1.13%1.08%0.50%0.70%1.09%1.13%0.93%1.15%1.12%
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

VCIT and IJK 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.

IJK has higher volatility (5.15%) compared to VCIT (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIT dropped -20.56% vs IJK's -54.47%.

On 10-year performance, IJK leads with 11.55% vs 2.93% for VCIT. On fees, VCIT is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VCIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IJK has performed better with a 11.55% return vs 2.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VCIT is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for IJK.

VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.80%, compared with 0.54% for IJK.

VCIT is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while IJK is Mid Cap Growth Equities. VCIT tracks Barclays U.S. 5-10 Year Corp Index, while IJK tracks S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VCIT and 0.17% for IJK.

IJK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.50), 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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