VCOBX vs. VICSX
VCOBX (Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares) and VICSX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VCOBX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VICSX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VCOBX returned 2.12%/yr vs 2.89%/yr for VICSX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VCOBX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VICSX.
Performance
VCOBX vs. VICSX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCOBX achieves a 0.54% return, which is significantly higher than VICSX's 0.13% return. Over the past 10 years, VCOBX has underperformed VICSX with an annualized return of 2.12%, while VICSX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.89% annualized return.
VCOBX
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- 0.61%
- YTD
- 0.54%
- 6M
- 0.65%
- 1Y
- 4.61%
- 3Y*
- 4.80%
- 5Y*
- 0.50%
- 10Y*
- 2.12%
VICSX
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 0.46%
- YTD
- 0.13%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- 1Y
- 5.06%
- 3Y*
- 6.18%
- 5Y*
- 1.18%
- 10Y*
- 2.89%
VCOBX vs. VICSX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares | 0.54% | 7.73% | 2.21% | 6.39% | -13.13% | -1.51% | 10.41% | 9.64% | -0.85% | 3.89% |
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.13% | 9.36% | 3.66% | 8.88% | -14.09% | -1.56% | 9.52% | 13.99% | -1.73% | 5.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCOBX and VICSX is 0.97 - 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 | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2016 | 0.96 |
The correlation between VCOBX and VICSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VCOBX vs. VICSX — Risk / Return Rank
VCOBX
VICSX
VCOBX vs. VICSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX). 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.
| VCOBX | VICSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.24 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.86 | 1.80 | +0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.25 | 5.67 | -0.41 |
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Drawdowns
VCOBX vs. VICSX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCOBX drawdown since its inception was -18.14%, smaller than the maximum VICSX drawdown of -20.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCOBX and VICSX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCOBX | VICSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.14% | -20.53% | +2.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.62% | -2.98% | +0.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.63% | -6.02% | +0.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.03% | -20.53% | +2.50% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.14% | -20.53% | +2.39% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.30% | -1.39% | +0.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.16% | -3.15% | -1.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 0.95% | -0.03% |
Volatility
VCOBX vs. VICSX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX) is 1.05%, while Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX) has a volatility of 1.17%. This indicates that VCOBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VICSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCOBX | VICSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.05% | 1.17% | -0.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.74% | 2.99% | -0.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.64% | 3.91% | -0.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.78% | 6.17% | -0.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.76% | 5.35% | -0.59% |
VCOBX vs. VICSX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCOBX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VICSX's 0.07% 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
VCOBX vs. VICSX - Dividend Comparison
VCOBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, which matches VICSX's 4.77% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares | 4.74% | 4.80% | 5.04% | 4.44% | 3.01% | 1.23% | 3.09% | 3.08% | 3.10% | 2.20% | 2.29% | 0.00% |
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 4.77% | 4.59% | 4.77% | 3.70% | 3.00% | 2.76% | 2.77% | 3.35% | 3.62% | 3.22% | 3.03% | 3.36% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, VCOBX and VICSX 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.
VICSX has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to VCOBX (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCOBX dropped -18.14% vs VICSX's -20.53%.
VICSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 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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