VCLT vs. LQD
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) and iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD).
VCLT and LQD are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VCLT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. It was launched on Nov 19, 2009. LQD is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the iBoxx $ Liquid Investment Grade Index. It was launched on Jul 26, 2002. Both VCLT and LQD are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: VCLT or LQD.
Key characteristics
| VCLT | LQD | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -5.22% | -3.08% |
| 1Y Return | -0.66% | 0.98% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -6.19% | -3.73% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | -0.04% | 0.84% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 2.35% | 2.19% |
| Sharpe Ratio | -0.06 | 0.13 |
| Daily Std Dev | 12.98% | 8.85% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.31% | -24.95% |
| Current Drawdown | -23.56% | -14.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCLT and LQD is 0.88, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
VCLT vs. LQD - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, VCLT achieves a -5.22% return, which is significantly lower than LQD's -3.08% return. Over the past 10 years, VCLT has outperformed LQD with an annualized return of 2.35%, while LQD has yielded a comparatively lower 2.19% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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VCLT vs. LQD - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCLT has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than LQD's 0.15% 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%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
VCLT vs. LQD - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) and iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD). 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.
Dividends
VCLT vs. LQD - Dividend Comparison
VCLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.10%, more than LQD's 4.36% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 5.10% | 4.67% | 4.44% | 3.07% | 3.16% | 3.81% | 4.55% | 4.01% | 4.33% | 4.68% | 4.29% | 4.83% |
LQD iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 4.36% | 3.99% | 3.30% | 2.30% | 2.66% | 3.29% | 3.67% | 3.10% | 3.34% | 3.47% | 3.39% | 3.83% |
Drawdowns
VCLT vs. LQD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCLT drawdown since its inception was -34.31%, which is greater than LQD's maximum drawdown of -24.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCLT and LQD. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
VCLT vs. LQD - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has a higher volatility of 3.51% compared to iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) at 2.45%. This indicates that VCLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LQD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.