VCIT vs. VCEB
VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VCEB (Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds from Vanguard - VCIT tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index while VCEB tracks the Bloomberg Barclays MSCI US Corp SRI Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VCIT returned 1.11%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for VCEB. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VCIT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for VCEB.
Performance
VCIT vs. VCEB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCIT achieves a 0.41% return, which is significantly lower than VCEB's 0.56% return.
VCIT
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- 0.40%
- YTD
- 0.41%
- 6M
- 0.89%
- 1Y
- 6.00%
- 3Y*
- 6.37%
- 5Y*
- 1.11%
- 10Y*
- 2.93%
VCEB
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- 0.67%
- YTD
- 0.56%
- 6M
- 1.06%
- 1Y
- 5.13%
- 3Y*
- 5.34%
- 5Y*
- 0.38%
- 10Y*
- —
VCIT vs. VCEB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.41% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -13.98% | -1.77% | 2.44% |
VCEB Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF | 0.56% | 7.48% | 2.23% | 8.52% | -15.15% | -1.99% | 2.45% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCIT and VCEB is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2020 | 0.96 |
The correlation between VCIT and VCEB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VCIT vs. VCEB — Risk / Return Rank
VCIT
VCEB
VCIT vs. VCEB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (VCEB). 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 | VCEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.19 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.88 | 1.65 | +0.23 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.07 | 5.02 | +1.06 |
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Drawdowns
VCIT vs. VCEB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCIT drawdown since its inception was -20.56%, roughly equal to the maximum VCEB drawdown of -21.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIT and VCEB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCIT | VCEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.56% | -21.60% | +1.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.96% | -2.82% | -0.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | -6.09% | -0.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.56% | -21.39% | +0.83% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.56% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.13% | -0.81% | -0.32% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.16% | -7.60% | +4.44% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 0.93% | -0.01% |
Volatility
VCIT vs. VCEB - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (VCEB) have volatilities of 1.48% and 1.43%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCIT | VCEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.48% | 1.43% | +0.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.15% | 3.21% | -0.06% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.10% | 4.22% | -0.12% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.62% | 6.84% | -0.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.28% | 6.65% | -0.37% |
VCIT vs. VCEB - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCIT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VCEB's 0.12% 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. VCEB - Dividend Comparison
VCIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.79%, more than VCEB's 4.64% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCEB Vanguard ESG U.S. Corporate Bond ETF | 4.64% | 4.57% | 4.47% | 3.70% | 2.84% | 1.69% | 0.43% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.79% | 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 0.96, VCIT and VCEB 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 (1.48%) compared to VCEB (1.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIT dropped -20.56% vs VCEB's -21.60%.
On 5-year performance, VCIT leads with 1.11% vs 0.38% for VCEB. On fees, VCIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VCIT has performed better with a 1.11% return vs 0.38%. 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 0.12% for VCEB.
VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.79%, compared with 4.64% for VCEB.
VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while VCEB tracks Bloomberg Barclays MSCI US Corp SRI Select Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VCIT and 0.12% for VCEB.
VCIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.11), 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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