VCORX vs. FBND
VCORX (Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares) and FBND (Fidelity Total Bond ETF) are both funds - VCORX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while FBND is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, VCORX returned 2.16%/yr vs 2.53%/yr for FBND. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCORX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for FBND.
Performance
VCORX vs. FBND - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCORX achieves a 0.72% return, which is significantly higher than FBND's 0.61% return. Over the past 10 years, VCORX has underperformed FBND with an annualized return of 2.16%, while FBND has yielded a comparatively higher 2.53% annualized return.
VCORX
- 1D
- 0.22%
- 1M
- 0.83%
- YTD
- 0.72%
- 6M
- 0.83%
- 1Y
- 5.04%
- 3Y*
- 4.69%
- 5Y*
- 0.33%
- 10Y*
- 2.16%
FBND
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- 0.58%
- YTD
- 0.61%
- 6M
- 0.71%
- 1Y
- 4.87%
- 3Y*
- 4.69%
- 5Y*
- 0.78%
- 10Y*
- 2.53%
VCORX vs. FBND - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCORX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares | 0.72% | 7.68% | 2.10% | 5.90% | -13.27% | -0.80% | 10.19% | 9.47% | -0.92% | 4.34% |
FBND Fidelity Total Bond ETF | 0.61% | 7.57% | 2.13% | 6.81% | -12.54% | -0.43% | 9.41% | 9.82% | -0.57% | 3.52% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCORX and FBND is 0.95 - 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 | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2016 | 0.88 |
The correlation between VCORX and FBND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VCORX vs. FBND — Risk / Return Rank
VCORX
FBND
VCORX vs. FBND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares (VCORX) and Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND). 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 | FBND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.22 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.92 | 1.83 | +0.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.51 | 5.27 | +0.25 |
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Drawdowns
VCORX vs. FBND - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCORX drawdown since its inception was -18.14%, which is greater than FBND's maximum drawdown of -17.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCORX and FBND.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCORX | FBND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.14% | -17.25% | -0.89% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.64% | -2.66% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.99% | -5.94% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.14% | -17.25% | -0.89% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.14% | -17.25% | -0.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.06% | -1.32% | +0.26% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.25% | -3.34% | -0.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 0.93% | -0.01% |
Volatility
VCORX vs. FBND - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares (VCORX) and Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND) have volatilities of 1.09% and 1.12%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VCORX | FBND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.09% | 1.12% | -0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.75% | 2.85% | -0.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.65% | 3.83% | -0.18% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.81% | 5.93% | -0.12% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.81% | 6.10% | -1.29% |
VCORX vs. FBND - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCORX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than FBND's 0.36% expense ratio.
Dividends
VCORX vs. FBND - Dividend Comparison
VCORX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, less than FBND's 4.70% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FBND Fidelity Total Bond ETF | 4.70% | 4.70% | 4.73% | 4.26% | 3.07% | 1.86% | 4.25% | 2.90% | 2.93% | 2.56% | 2.84% | 3.26% |
VCORX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Investor Shares | 4.63% | 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 0.95, VCORX and FBND 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.
FBND has higher volatility (1.12%) compared to VCORX (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCORX dropped -18.14% vs FBND's -17.25%.
VCORX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 1.28), 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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