VCSH vs. SCHI
VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and SCHI (Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - VCSH tracks the Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index while SCHI tracks the Bloomberg US 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VCSH returned 2.32%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for SCHI. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VCSH charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHI.
Performance
VCSH vs. SCHI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCSH achieves a 0.92% return, which is significantly higher than SCHI's -0.36% return.
VCSH
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- -0.09%
- 6M
- 0.60%
- YTD
- 0.92%
- 1Y
- 3.20%
- 3Y*
- 5.42%
- 5Y*
- 2.32%
- 10Y*
- 2.65%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.90%
SCHI
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- -1.03%
- 6M
- -0.49%
- YTD
- -0.36%
- 1Y
- 2.49%
- 3Y*
- 5.90%
- 5Y*
- 0.69%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 2.02%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $42.09M | $42.30M | $59.69M | |
| $313.19M | $294.57M | $337.26M |
VCSH vs. SCHI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.92% | 6.77% | 4.91% | 6.20% | -5.62% | -0.63% | 5.13% | 0.49% |
SCHI Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF | -0.36% | 9.47% | 3.32% | 8.97% | -14.06% | -1.85% | 9.74% | 0.83% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCSH and SCHI is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.92 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2019 | 0.89 |
The correlation between VCSH and SCHI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VCSH vs. SCHI — Risk / Return Rank
VCSH
SCHI
VCSH vs. SCHI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) and Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHI). 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.
| VCSH | SCHI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.61 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.10 | +0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.29 | 0.83 | +1.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.01 | 2.33 | +6.68 |
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Drawdowns
VCSH vs. SCHI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCSH drawdown since its inception was -12.86%, smaller than the maximum SCHI drawdown of -20.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSH and SCHI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCSH | SCHI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -12.86% | -20.67% | +7.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.40% | -3.01% | +1.61% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.40% | -5.30% | +3.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.41% | -20.46% | +11.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -12.86% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.17% | -1.91% | +1.74% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.96% | -5.61% | +4.65% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.36% | 1.07% | -0.71% |
Volatility
VCSH vs. SCHI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is 0.55%, while Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF (SCHI) has a volatility of 1.16%. This indicates that VCSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCSH | SCHI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.55% | 1.16% | -0.61% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.57% | 3.33% | -1.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.87% | 4.06% | -2.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.90% | 6.67% | -3.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.35% | 7.34% | -3.99% |
VCSH vs. SCHI - Expense Ratio Comparison
VCSH has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHI'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. SCHI - Dividend Comparison
VCSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.47%, less than SCHI's 5.12% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHI Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF | 5.12% | 4.99% | 5.11% | 4.27% | 3.10% | 1.93% | 2.31% | 0.53% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.47% | 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
With a correlation of 0.92, VCSH and SCHI 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.
SCHI has higher volatility (1.16%) compared to VCSH (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCSH dropped -12.86% vs SCHI's -20.67%.
On 5-year performance, VCSH leads with 2.32% vs 0.69% for SCHI. On fees, SCHI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VCSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VCSH has performed better with a 2.32% return vs 0.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for VCSH.
SCHI has the higher dividend yield at 5.12%, compared with 4.47% for VCSH.
VCSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index, while SCHI tracks Bloomberg US 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VCSH and 0.03% for SCHI.
VCSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 0.62), 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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