VCPAX vs. VCRB

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB).

VCPAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Oct 25, 2021. VCRB is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 14, 2023.

Performance

VCPAX vs. VCRB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VCPAX vs. VCRB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VCPAX Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares	-0.12%	8.06%	2.95%	0.53%
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF	0.07%	7.56%	2.21%	0.65%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCPAX achieves a -0.12% return, which is significantly lower than VCRB's 0.07% return.

VCPAX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -1.49%
• YTD: -0.12%
• 6M: 0.82%
• 1Y: 4.63%
• 3Y*: 4.90%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCRB

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: 0.07%
• 6M: 0.78%
• 1Y: 4.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VCPAX vs. VCRB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCPAX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VCRB's 0.10% 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%.

VCPAX

Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares

VCRB

Vanguard Core Bond ETF

Return for Risk

VCPAX vs. VCRB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VCPAX

VCPAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VCPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VCPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VCPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VCPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VCPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

VCRB

VCRB Risk / Return Rank: 53
VCRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VCRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VCRB Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VCRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VCRB Martin Ratio Rank: 48

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VCPAX vs. VCRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX) and Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB). 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.

	VCPAX	VCRB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	1.02	+0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.77	1.44	+0.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.18	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	1.66	+0.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.12	4.83	+1.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCPAX vs. VCRB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCPAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is comparable to the VCRB Sharpe Ratio of 1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCPAX and VCRB, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VCPAX	VCRB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23	1.02	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.95	-0.79

Correlation

The correlation between VCPAX and VCRB is 0.96, 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.

Dividends

VCPAX vs. VCRB - Dividend Comparison

VCPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, less than VCRB's 4.59% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VCPAX Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.43%	4.86%	5.19%	4.55%	3.26%	0.27%
VCRB Vanguard Core Bond ETF	4.59%	4.55%	4.22%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

VCPAX vs. VCRB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCPAX drawdown since its inception was -17.25%, which is greater than VCRB's maximum drawdown of -4.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCPAX and VCRB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCPAX	VCRB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.25%	-4.59%	-12.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.72%	-2.77%	+0.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.91%	-1.79%	-0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.65%	-1.14%	-5.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	0.95%	-0.12%

Volatility

VCPAX vs. VCRB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX) is 1.57%, while Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB) has a volatility of 1.66%. This indicates that VCPAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCPAX	VCRB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.57%	1.66%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.36%	2.49%	-0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.04%	4.34%	-0.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.70%	4.82%	+0.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.70%	4.82%	+0.88%