VCSH vs. BIV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCSH is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index, while BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCSH returned 2.66%/yr vs 1.83%/yr for BIV. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCSH charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BIV.

Performance

VCSH vs. BIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCSH achieves a 0.44% return, which is significantly higher than BIV's -0.67% return. Over the past 10 years, VCSH has outperformed BIV with an annualized return of 2.66%, while BIV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.83% annualized return.

VCSH

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 0.44%
• 6M: 0.92%
• 1Y: 4.56%
• 3Y*: 5.56%
• 5Y*: 2.26%
• 10Y*: 2.66%

BIV

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.94%
• YTD: -0.67%
• 6M: -0.33%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: 4.27%
• 5Y*: 0.08%
• 10Y*: 1.83%

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

VCSH vs. BIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.44%	6.77%	4.91%	6.20%	-5.62%	-0.63%	5.13%	7.02%	0.92%	2.17%
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF	-0.67%	8.52%	1.57%	6.07%	-13.21%	-2.40%	9.67%	10.34%	-0.19%	3.65%

Correlation

The correlation between VCSH and BIV is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.75

The correlation between VCSH and BIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (all time) to 0.92 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VCSH vs. BIV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCSH

VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 82
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 86
VCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 77

BIV

BIV Risk / Return Rank: 34
BIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
BIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
BIV Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BIV Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

VCSH vs. BIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). 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.

	VCSH	BIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	1.18	+1.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.82	1.76	+2.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.21	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	1.49	+1.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.41	4.40	+9.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCSH vs. BIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCSH Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is higher than the BIV Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCSH and BIV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VCSH	BIV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	1.18	+1.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.01	+0.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.33	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	0.64	+0.37

Drawdowns

VCSH vs. BIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCSH drawdown since its inception was -12.86%, smaller than the maximum BIV drawdown of -18.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSH and BIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCSH	BIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.86%	-18.95%	+6.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.40%	-3.18%	+1.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.40%	-6.07%	+4.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.48%	-18.74%	+9.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.86%	-18.95%	+6.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-2.46%	+1.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	-3.39%	+2.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	1.07%	-0.73%

Volatility

VCSH vs. BIV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is 0.61%, while Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) has a volatility of 1.35%. This indicates that VCSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCSH	BIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	1.35%	-0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.41%	2.93%	-1.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87%	4.00%	-2.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.88%	6.40%	-3.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.35%	5.51%	-2.16%

VCSH vs. BIV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCSH has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than BIV'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

VCSH vs. BIV - Dividend Comparison

VCSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, more than BIV's 4.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF	4.24%	4.01%	3.79%	3.09%	2.41%	3.42%	2.95%	2.75%	2.88%	2.69%	3.01%	3.02%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.46%	4.35%	3.96%	3.09%	2.01%	1.81%	2.27%	2.87%	2.65%	2.26%	2.10%	2.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCSH and BIV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VCSH and BIV 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.

Which is riskier, VCSH or BIV?

BIV has higher volatility (1.35%) compared to VCSH (0.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCSH dropped -12.86% vs BIV's -18.95%.

Which ETF is better, VCSH or BIV?

On 10-year performance, VCSH leads with 2.66% vs 1.83% for BIV. On fees, BIV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VCSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VCSH or BIV?

Over the 10-year period, VCSH has performed better with a 2.66% return vs 1.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VCSH or BIV?

BIV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for VCSH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VCSH or BIV?

VCSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.46%, compared with 4.24% for BIV.

What is the main difference between VCSH and BIV?

VCSH is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while BIV is Intermediate Core Bond. VCSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index, while BIV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VCSH and 0.03% for BIV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.18), 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.