VCIT vs. SPBO
VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and SPBO (SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - VCIT tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index while SPBO tracks the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCIT returned 2.87%/yr vs 2.74%/yr for SPBO. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VCIT vs. SPBO - 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 SPBO's 0.91% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VCIT having a 2.87% annualized return and SPBO not far behind at 2.74%.
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%
SPBO
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.74%
- YTD
- 0.91%
- 6M
- 0.97%
- 1Y
- 5.33%
- 3Y*
- 5.49%
- 5Y*
- 0.49%
- 10Y*
- 2.74%
VCIT vs. SPBO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.31% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -13.98% | -1.77% | 9.46% | 14.10% | -1.74% | 5.31% |
SPBO SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF | 0.91% | 7.83% | 2.59% | 8.80% | -15.68% | -1.57% | 10.17% | 14.70% | -1.79% | 5.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCIT and SPBO is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 2011 | 0.71 |
Over the past year, VCIT and SPBO have become more correlated (0.97) than their long-term average of 0.71, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VCIT vs. SPBO — Risk / Return Rank
VCIT
SPBO
VCIT vs. SPBO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF (SPBO). 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 | SPBO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.22 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.76 | 1.87 | -0.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.56 | 5.77 | -0.21 |
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Drawdowns
VCIT vs. SPBO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCIT drawdown since its inception was -20.56%, smaller than the maximum SPBO drawdown of -22.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIT and SPBO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCIT | SPBO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.56% | -22.23% | +1.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.96% | -2.87% | -0.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | -6.41% | +0.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.56% | -22.23% | +1.67% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.56% | -22.23% | +1.67% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.22% | -0.70% | -0.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.15% | -4.03% | +0.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.93% | 0.93% | 0.00% |
Volatility
VCIT vs. SPBO - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) has a higher volatility of 1.24% compared to SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF (SPBO) at 1.16%. This indicates that VCIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPBO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCIT | SPBO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.24% | 1.16% | +0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.17% | 3.28% | -0.11% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.10% | 4.35% | -0.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.62% | 7.18% | -0.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.29% | 7.50% | -1.21% |
VCIT vs. SPBO - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VCIT and SPBO have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VCIT vs. SPBO - Dividend Comparison
VCIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.80%, less than SPBO's 5.11% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPBO SPDR Portfolio Corporate Bond ETF | 5.11% | 5.09% | 5.28% | 4.73% | 3.54% | 2.42% | 2.75% | 3.46% | 3.60% | 3.15% | 3.35% | 3.07% |
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
With a correlation of 0.97, VCIT and SPBO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VCIT has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to SPBO (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIT dropped -20.56% vs SPBO's -22.23%.
On 10-year performance, VCIT leads with 2.87% vs 2.74% for SPBO. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VCIT has performed better with a 2.87% return vs 2.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCIT and SPBO have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
SPBO has the higher dividend yield at 5.11%, compared with 4.80% for VCIT.
VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while SPBO tracks Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street.
VCIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 1.23), 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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