VCSH vs. QCON

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and QCON (American Century Quality Convertible Securities ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds. VCSH is passively managed, while QCON is actively managed. VCSH charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for QCON.

Performance

VCSH vs. QCON - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

VCSH

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 6M: 0.95%
• 1Y: 4.59%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 2.32%
• 10Y*: 2.70%

QCON

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VCSH vs. QCON - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	0.09%
QCON American Century Quality Convertible Securities ETF	0.00%

Return for Risk

VCSH vs. QCON — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCSH

VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 74
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. QCON - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) and American Century Quality Convertible Securities ETF (QCON). 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	QCON	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.85	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.55	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VCSH	QCON	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.02	—	—

Drawdowns

VCSH vs. QCON - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCSH drawdown since its inception was -12.86%, which is greater than QCON's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSH and QCON.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCSH	QCON	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.86%	0.00%	-12.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.40%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.40%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.48%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	0.00%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.97%	0.00%	-0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VCSH	QCON	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.57%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.38%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88%	0.00%	+1.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.88%	0.00%	+2.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.35%	0.00%	+3.35%

VCSH vs. QCON - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCSH has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than QCON's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCSH vs. QCON - Dividend Comparison

VCSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, while QCON has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCON American Century Quality Convertible Securities ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.45%	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

Which ETF is better, VCSH or QCON?

On fees, VCSH is cheaper at 0.04% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VCSH or QCON?

VCSH is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for QCON.

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

VCSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.45%, compared with 0.00% for QCON.

What is the main difference between VCSH and QCON?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and American Century. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VCSH and 0.32% for QCON.