VCORX vs. BND
VCORX (Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both Total Bond Market funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VCORX returned 2.11%/yr vs 1.56%/yr for BND. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCORX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.
Performance
VCORX vs. BND - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VCORX having a 0.50% return and BND slightly lower at 0.49%. Over the past 10 years, VCORX has outperformed BND with an annualized return of 2.11%, while BND has yielded a comparatively lower 1.56% annualized return.
VCORX
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 0.60%
- YTD
- 0.50%
- 6M
- 0.61%
- 1Y
- 4.57%
- 3Y*
- 4.57%
- 5Y*
- 0.34%
- 10Y*
- 2.11%
BND
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- 0.64%
- YTD
- 0.49%
- 6M
- 0.57%
- 1Y
- 4.23%
- 3Y*
- 3.96%
- 5Y*
- 0.05%
- 10Y*
- 1.56%
VCORX vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCORX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares | 0.50% | 7.68% | 2.10% | 5.90% | -13.27% | -0.80% | 10.19% | 9.47% | -0.92% | 4.34% |
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 0.49% | 7.08% | 1.38% | 5.65% | -13.11% | -1.86% | 7.71% | 8.84% | -0.12% | 3.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCORX and BND is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
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 | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2016 | 0.95 |
The correlation between VCORX and BND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VCORX vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank
VCORX
BND
VCORX vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares (VCORX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.
| VCORX | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.27 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.20 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.83 | 1.59 | +0.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.23 | 4.52 | +0.72 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VCORX vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCORX drawdown since its inception was -18.14%, roughly equal to the maximum BND drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCORX and BND.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VCORX | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.14% | -18.58% | +0.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.64% | -2.68% | +0.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.99% | -5.92% | -0.07% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.14% | -17.91% | -0.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.14% | -18.58% | +0.44% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.28% | -2.15% | +0.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.25% | -3.06% | -1.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 0.94% | -0.02% |
Volatility
VCORX vs. BND - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares (VCORX) is 1.01%, while Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) has a volatility of 1.08%. This indicates that VCORX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VCORX | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.01% | 1.08% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.75% | 2.77% | -0.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.67% | 3.74% | -0.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.81% | 6.03% | -0.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.81% | 5.53% | -0.72% |
VCORX vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCORX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than BND'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
VCORX vs. BND - Dividend Comparison
VCORX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.64%, more than BND's 3.96% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 3.96% | 3.86% | 3.67% | 3.09% | 2.60% | 2.12% | 2.38% | 2.72% | 2.81% | 2.54% | 2.51% | 2.57% |
VCORX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares | 4.64% | 4.70% | 4.93% | 3.99% | 2.90% | 1.91% | 2.95% | 2.93% | 2.98% | 2.62% | 2.20% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, VCORX and BND 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.
BND has higher volatility (1.08%) compared to VCORX (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCORX dropped -18.14% vs BND's -18.58%.
VCORX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs 1.14), 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.
Find the right allocation for VCORX and BND
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer