VCIT vs. VCRB
VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VCRB (Vanguard Core 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 VCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. VCIT is passively managed, while VCRB is actively managed. Over the past year, VCIT returned 6.00% vs 5.24% for VCRB. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCIT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCRB.
Performance
VCIT vs. VCRB - 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 VCRB's 0.70% 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%
VCRB
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.47%
- YTD
- 0.70%
- 6M
- 1.09%
- 1Y
- 5.24%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VCIT vs. VCRB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.41% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 1.44% |
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF | 0.70% | 7.56% | 2.21% | 0.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCIT and VCRB 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2023 | 0.95 |
The correlation between VCIT and VCRB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VCIT vs. VCRB — Risk / Return Rank
VCIT
VCRB
VCIT vs. VCRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB). 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 | VCRB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.23 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.88 | 1.85 | +0.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.07 | 5.35 | +0.73 |
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Drawdowns
VCIT vs. VCRB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCIT drawdown since its inception was -20.56%, which is greater than VCRB's maximum drawdown of -4.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIT and VCRB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCIT | VCRB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.56% | -4.59% | -15.97% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.96% | -2.63% | -0.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | — | — |
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 | -1.13% | -1.16% | +0.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.16% | -1.16% | -2.00% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 0.91% | +0.01% |
Volatility
VCIT vs. VCRB - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) has a higher volatility of 1.48% compared to Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB) at 1.20%. This indicates that VCIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCIT | VCRB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.48% | 1.20% | +0.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.15% | 2.66% | +0.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.10% | 3.65% | +0.45% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.62% | 4.73% | +1.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.28% | 4.73% | +1.55% |
VCIT vs. VCRB - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCIT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VCRB's 0.10% 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. VCRB - Dividend Comparison
VCIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.79%, more than VCRB's 4.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF | 4.59% | 4.55% | 4.22% | 0.16% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, VCIT and VCRB 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 VCRB (1.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIT dropped -20.56% vs VCRB's -4.59%.
On 1-year performance, VCIT leads with 6.00% vs 5.24% for VCRB. On fees, VCIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VCRB has been the lower-risk option at 1.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, VCIT has performed better with a 6.00% return vs 5.24%. 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 0.10% for VCRB.
VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.79%, compared with 4.59% for VCRB.
VCIT is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VCRB is Intermediate Core Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VCIT and 0.10% for VCRB.
VCIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.34), 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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