VCIT vs. PIT
VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and PIT (VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while PIT is a Commodities fund actively managed by VanEck. VCIT is passively managed, while PIT is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VCIT returned 6.09%/yr vs 18.98%/yr for PIT. At a correlation of -0.07, they often move in opposite directions. VCIT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for PIT.
Performance
VCIT vs. PIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCIT achieves a 0.31% return, which is significantly lower than PIT's 25.62% return.
VCIT
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.60%
- YTD
- 0.31%
- 6M
- 0.47%
- 1Y
- 5.17%
- 3Y*
- 6.09%
- 5Y*
- 1.14%
- 10Y*
- 2.87%
PIT
- 1D
- -1.32%
- 1M
- -11.78%
- YTD
- 25.62%
- 6M
- 23.58%
- 1Y
- 39.64%
- 3Y*
- 18.98%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VCIT vs. PIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.31% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -1.17% |
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF | 25.62% | 21.63% | 6.77% | -4.54% | 1.67% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCIT and PIT is -0.24, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2022 | -0.07 |
The correlation between VCIT and PIT shifts across timeframes, from -0.24 (1 year) to -0.07 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VCIT vs. PIT — Risk / Return Rank
VCIT
PIT
VCIT vs. PIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT). 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.
| VCIT | PIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.58 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.33 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.76 | 2.62 | -0.87 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.56 | 10.88 | -5.33 |
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Drawdowns
VCIT vs. PIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCIT drawdown since its inception was -20.56%, which is greater than PIT's maximum drawdown of -15.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIT and PIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCIT | PIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.56% | -15.19% | -5.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.96% | -15.19% | +12.23% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | -15.19% | +9.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.56% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.56% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.22% | -15.19% | +13.97% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.15% | -4.08% | +0.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.93% | 3.66% | -2.73% |
Volatility
VCIT vs. PIT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) is 1.24%, while VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF (PIT) has a volatility of 4.72%. This indicates that VCIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCIT | PIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.24% | 4.72% | -3.48% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.17% | 19.40% | -16.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.10% | 21.66% | -17.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.62% | 17.50% | -10.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.29% | 17.50% | -11.21% |
VCIT vs. PIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCIT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than PIT's 0.55% expense ratio.
Dividends
VCIT vs. PIT - Dividend Comparison
VCIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.80%, less than PIT's 7.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PIT VanEck Commodity Strategy ETF | 7.10% | 8.92% | 3.59% | 6.44% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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 PIT have a correlation of -0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PIT has higher volatility (4.72%) compared to VCIT (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIT dropped -20.56% vs PIT's -15.19%.
On 3-year performance, PIT leads with 18.98% vs 6.09% for VCIT. On fees, VCIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VCIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, PIT has performed better with a 18.98% return vs 6.09%. 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 0.55% for PIT.
PIT has the higher dividend yield at 7.10%, compared with 4.80% for VCIT.
VCIT is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while PIT is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VCIT and 0.55% for PIT.
PIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.27), 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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