VCIT vs. VO
VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCIT returned 2.93%/yr vs 11.77%/yr for VO. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VCIT vs. VO - 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 VO's 10.43% return. Over the past 10 years, VCIT has underperformed VO with an annualized return of 2.93%, while VO has yielded a comparatively higher 11.77% annualized return.
VCIT
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- 0.96%
- YTD
- 0.41%
- 6M
- 0.89%
- 1Y
- 6.00%
- 3Y*
- 6.37%
- 5Y*
- 1.11%
- 10Y*
- 2.93%
VO
- 1D
- 0.97%
- 1M
- 4.30%
- YTD
- 10.43%
- 6M
- 9.31%
- 1Y
- 19.60%
- 3Y*
- 15.74%
- 5Y*
- 7.79%
- 10Y*
- 11.77%
VCIT vs. VO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.41% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -13.98% | -1.77% | 9.46% | 14.10% | -1.74% | 5.31% |
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | 10.43% | 11.62% | 15.31% | 16.03% | -18.73% | 24.70% | 18.10% | 30.98% | -9.24% | 19.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCIT and VO is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009 | 0.05 |
Over the past year, VCIT and VO have become more correlated (0.46) than their long-term average of 0.05, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VCIT vs. VO — Risk / Return Rank
VCIT
VO
VCIT vs. VO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO). 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 | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.25 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.88 | 2.23 | -0.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.07 | 8.44 | -2.36 |
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Drawdowns
VCIT vs. VO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCIT drawdown since its inception was -20.56%, smaller than the maximum VO drawdown of -58.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIT and VO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCIT | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.56% | -58.87% | +38.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.96% | -8.17% | +5.21% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | -19.02% | +12.91% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.56% | -27.57% | +7.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.56% | -39.37% | +18.81% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.13% | -0.45% | -0.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.16% | -7.85% | +4.69% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 2.16% | -1.24% |
Volatility
VCIT vs. VO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) is 1.48%, while Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) has a volatility of 4.31%. This indicates that VCIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCIT | VO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.48% | 4.31% | -2.83% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.15% | 9.71% | -6.56% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.10% | 12.74% | -8.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.62% | 17.65% | -11.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.28% | 18.96% | -12.68% |
VCIT vs. VO - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VCIT and VO 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. VO - Dividend Comparison
VCIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.79%, more than VO's 1.36% 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% |
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | 1.36% | 1.52% | 1.49% | 1.52% | 1.60% | 1.12% | 1.45% | 1.48% | 1.82% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 1.47% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VCIT and VO have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VO has higher volatility (4.31%) compared to VCIT (1.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIT dropped -20.56% vs VO's -58.87%.
On 10-year performance, VO leads with 11.77% vs 2.93% for VCIT. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VCIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VO has performed better with a 11.77% return vs 2.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCIT and VO have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.79%, compared with 1.36% for VO.
VCIT is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VO is Mid Cap Blend Equities. VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while VO tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Index.
VO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.36), 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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