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VCIT vs. JNK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VCIT vs. JNK

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and JNK (SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while JNK is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCIT returned 2.85%/yr vs 4.94%/yr for JNK. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VCIT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for JNK.

Performance

VCIT vs. JNK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK). 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 -0.26% return, which is significantly lower than JNK's 1.30% return. Over the past 10 years, VCIT has underperformed JNK with an annualized return of 2.85%, while JNK has yielded a comparatively higher 4.94% annualized 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%

JNK

1D
0.07%
1M
-0.21%
YTD
1.30%
6M
1.95%
1Y
6.98%
3Y*
8.46%
5Y*
3.59%
10Y*
4.94%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VCIT vs. JNK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VCIT
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF		-0.26%9.34%3.20%8.98%-13.98%-1.77%9.46%14.10%-1.74%5.31%
JNK
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF		1.30%8.76%7.71%12.42%-12.19%4.00%4.95%14.88%-3.28%6.49%

Correlation

The correlation between VCIT and JNK 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 (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.70

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

0.63

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

0.44

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

0.26

Over the past year, VCIT and JNK have become more correlated (0.71) than their long-term average of 0.26, 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

SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF

Often compared with VCIT:
VCIT vs. BNDVCIT vs. LQDVCIT vs. IGIBVCIT vs. VTCVCIT vs. VCLTVCIT vs. SPIBVCIT vs. VTEB
Often compared with JNK:
JNK vs. HYGJNK vs. SPHYJNK vs. USHYJNK vs. VWEHXJNK vs. JEPIJNK vs. VTCJNK vs. SPSB

Return for Risk

VCIT vs. JNK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VCIT
VCIT Risk / Return Rank: 4646
Overall Rank
VCIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4747
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VCIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 4949
Sortino Ratio Rank
VCIT Omega Ratio Rank: 4646
Omega Ratio Rank
VCIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 4545
Calmar Ratio Rank
VCIT Martin Ratio Rank: 4444
Martin Ratio Rank
JNK
JNK Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
JNK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
JNK Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
JNK Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
JNK Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
JNK Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
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. JNK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK). 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.

VCITJNKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.48
1.83

-0.35

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.17
2.76

-0.59

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.35

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.03

2.80

-0.77

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.67

12.30

-5.64

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. JNK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is comparable to the JNK Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCIT and JNK, 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

VCITJNKDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.48

1.83

-0.35

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.16

0.48

-0.32

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.46

0.60

-0.14

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.75

0.42

+0.33

Drawdowns

VCIT vs. JNK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCIT drawdown since its inception was -20.56%, smaller than the maximum JNK drawdown of -38.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIT and JNK.

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Drawdown Indicators

VCITJNKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-20.56%

-38.48%

+17.92%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.96%

-2.51%

-0.45%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-6.11%

-5.02%

-1.09%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.56%

-16.67%

-3.89%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-20.56%

-22.89%

+2.33%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.79%

-0.46%

-1.33%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.16%

-3.70%

+0.54%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.90%

0.57%

+0.33%

Volatility

VCIT vs. JNK - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) has a higher volatility of 1.39% compared to SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) at 1.12%. This indicates that VCIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JNK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VCITJNKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.39%

1.12%

+0.27%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.10%

3.00%

+0.10%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.07%

3.84%

+0.23%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.61%

7.55%

-0.94%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

6.28%

8.31%

-2.03%

VCIT vs. JNK - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCIT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than JNK's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCIT vs. JNK - Dividend Comparison

VCIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.82%, less than JNK's 6.64% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
JNK
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF		6.64%6.54%6.63%6.38%6.06%4.27%5.11%5.44%5.90%5.60%6.06%6.59%
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

VCIT and JNK 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.

VCIT has higher volatility (1.39%) compared to JNK (1.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIT dropped -20.56% vs JNK's -38.48%.

On 10-year performance, JNK leads with 4.94% vs 2.85% for VCIT. On fees, VCIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, JNK has been the lower-risk option at 1.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, JNK has performed better with a 4.94% return vs 2.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VCIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for JNK.

JNK has the higher dividend yield at 6.64%, compared with 4.82% for VCIT.

VCIT is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while JNK is High Yield Bonds. VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while JNK tracks Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VCIT and 0.40% for JNK.

JNK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 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.

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