VCLT vs. VTI
VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCLT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCLT returned 2.31%/yr vs 15.05%/yr for VTI. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VCLT charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.
Performance
VCLT vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCLT achieves a 0.99% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.20% return. Over the past 10 years, VCLT has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 2.31%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.05% annualized return.
VCLT
- 1D
- -0.35%
- 1M
- 1.49%
- YTD
- 0.99%
- 6M
- -0.04%
- 1Y
- 7.69%
- 3Y*
- 4.34%
- 5Y*
- -1.78%
- 10Y*
- 2.31%
VTI
- 1D
- -0.72%
- 1M
- 4.99%
- YTD
- 11.20%
- 6M
- 11.09%
- 1Y
- 28.18%
- 3Y*
- 22.07%
- 5Y*
- 12.69%
- 10Y*
- 15.05%
VCLT vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.99% | 7.18% | -1.90% | 11.17% | -25.50% | -1.73% | 13.27% | 23.89% | -7.04% | 11.70% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 11.20% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCLT and VTI is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.02 |
Over the past year, VCLT and VTI have become more correlated (0.40) than their long-term average of 0.02, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VCLT vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
VCLT
VTI
VCLT vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.
| VCLT | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.35 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.76 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.42 | -0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.47 | 3.17 | -1.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.62 | 14.62 | -11.00 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VCLT | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 | 2.33 | -1.35 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.14 | 0.73 | -0.87 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.18 | 0.82 | -0.64 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.39 | 0.51 | -0.11 |
Drawdowns
VCLT vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCLT drawdown since its inception was -34.31%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCLT and VTI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCLT | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.31% | -55.45% | +21.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.25% | -8.92% | +3.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.03% | -19.30% | +6.27% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.31% | -25.36% | -8.95% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.31% | -35.00% | +0.69% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -14.36% | -0.72% | -13.64% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.16% | -8.03% | -0.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.13% | 1.93% | +0.20% |
Volatility
VCLT vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) is 2.31%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that VCLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCLT | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.31% | 2.96% | -0.65% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.75% | 9.13% | -3.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.92% | 12.17% | -4.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.78% | 17.40% | -4.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.84% | 18.30% | -5.46% |
VCLT vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCLT has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VCLT vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison
VCLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.55%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 5.55% | 5.51% | 5.19% | 4.67% | 4.44% | 3.07% | 3.16% | 3.81% | 4.55% | 4.01% | 4.33% | 4.68% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.01% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VCLT and VTI have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VTI has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to VCLT (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCLT dropped -34.31% vs VTI's -55.45%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.05% vs 2.31% for VCLT. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VCLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.05% return vs 2.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for VCLT.
VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.
VCLT is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. VCLT tracks Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VCLT and 0.03% for VTI.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 0.97), 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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