VCITX vs. BCHYX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCITX (Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) and BCHYX (American Century California High Yield Municipal Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, VCITX returned 2.53%/yr vs 2.44%/yr for BCHYX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCITX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for BCHYX.

Performance

VCITX vs. BCHYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCITX) and American Century California High Yield Municipal Fund (BCHYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCITX achieves a 1.76% return, which is significantly lower than BCHYX's 2.11% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VCITX having a 2.53% annualized return and BCHYX not far behind at 2.44%.

VCITX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.92%
• YTD: 1.76%
• 6M: 2.16%
• 1Y: 8.47%
• 3Y*: 4.78%
• 5Y*: 1.34%
• 10Y*: 2.53%

BCHYX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 2.11%
• 6M: 2.45%
• 1Y: 8.12%
• 3Y*: 4.79%
• 5Y*: 0.75%
• 10Y*: 2.44%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VCITX vs. BCHYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCITX Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	1.76%	4.90%	2.66%	7.51%	-10.06%	1.46%	5.60%	8.81%	0.67%	6.82%
BCHYX American Century California High Yield Municipal Fund	2.11%	3.48%	4.07%	6.69%	-12.77%	3.82%	3.95%	9.92%	0.65%	8.50%

Correlation

The correlation between VCITX and BCHYX is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 1996	0.87

The correlation between VCITX and BCHYX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VCITX vs. BCHYX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VCITX

VCITX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VCITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VCITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VCITX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VCITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VCITX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

BCHYX

BCHYX Risk / Return Rank: 67
BCHYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
BCHYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
BCHYX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BCHYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
BCHYX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VCITX vs. BCHYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCITX) and American Century California High Yield Municipal Fund (BCHYX). 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.

	VCITX	BCHYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	2.42	+0.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.23	3.97	+0.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.58	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	2.71	-0.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.75	9.38	-0.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCITX vs. BCHYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCITX Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is comparable to the BCHYX Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCITX and BCHYX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VCITX	BCHYX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.68	2.42	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.15	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.51	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.02	1.20	-0.18

Drawdowns

VCITX vs. BCHYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCITX drawdown since its inception was -22.71%, which is greater than BCHYX's maximum drawdown of -18.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCITX and BCHYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCITX	BCHYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.71%	-18.35%	-4.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.43%	-2.97%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.57%	-7.69%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.79%	-18.35%	+2.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.79%	-18.35%	+2.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	0.00%	-0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.58%	-2.38%	-0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	0.86%	+0.10%

Volatility

VCITX vs. BCHYX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VCITX) and American Century California High Yield Municipal Fund (BCHYX) have volatilities of 1.23% and 1.21%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VCITX	BCHYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	1.21%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.41%	2.38%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.15%	3.34%	-0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.56%	4.87%	-0.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.56%	4.81%	-0.25%

VCITX vs. BCHYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCITX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than BCHYX's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCITX vs. BCHYX - Dividend Comparison

VCITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.55%, less than BCHYX's 3.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BCHYX American Century California High Yield Municipal Fund	3.96%	4.58%	4.41%	3.67%	2.55%	2.57%	3.07%	3.50%	3.52%	3.50%	3.59%	3.67%
VCITX Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	3.55%	4.34%	3.85%	2.99%	2.66%	2.56%	3.21%	3.16%	3.32%	3.22%	3.45%	3.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCITX and BCHYX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, VCITX and BCHYX 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.

Which is riskier, VCITX or BCHYX?

VCITX has higher volatility (1.23%) compared to BCHYX (1.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCITX dropped -22.71% vs BCHYX's -18.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 2.42), 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.