VCSH vs. VCLT
VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds from Vanguard - VCSH tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index while VCLT tracks the Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCSH returned 2.70%/yr vs 2.31%/yr for VCLT. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.
Performance
VCSH vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCSH achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly lower than VCLT's 0.99% return. Over the past 10 years, VCSH has outperformed VCLT with an annualized return of 2.70%, while VCLT has yielded a comparatively lower 2.31% annualized return.
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%
VCLT
- 1D
- -0.35%
- 1M
- 1.49%
- YTD
- 0.99%
- 6M
- -0.04%
- 1Y
- 7.69%
- 3Y*
- 4.34%
- 5Y*
- -1.78%
- 10Y*
- 2.31%
VCSH vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.64% | 6.77% | 4.91% | 6.20% | -5.62% | -0.63% | 5.13% | 7.02% | 0.92% | 2.17% |
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.99% | 7.18% | -1.90% | 11.17% | -25.50% | -1.73% | 13.27% | 23.89% | -7.04% | 11.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCSH and VCLT is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.63 |
The correlation between VCSH and VCLT shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (all time) to 0.80 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VCSH vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank
VCSH
VCLT
VCSH vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT). 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 | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.47 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.17 | +0.31 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.29 | 1.47 | +1.82 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.55 | 3.62 | +9.93 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VCSH | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.45 | 0.97 | +1.47 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.81 | -0.14 | +0.95 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.81 | 0.18 | +0.63 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.02 | 0.39 | +0.62 |
Drawdowns
VCSH vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCSH drawdown since its inception was -12.86%, smaller than the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSH and VCLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCSH | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -12.86% | -34.31% | +21.45% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.40% | -5.25% | +3.85% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.40% | -13.03% | +11.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.48% | -34.31% | +24.83% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -12.86% | -34.31% | +21.45% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.32% | -14.36% | +14.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.97% | -8.16% | +7.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.34% | 2.13% | -1.79% |
Volatility
VCSH vs. VCLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is 0.57%, while Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that VCSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCSH | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.57% | 2.31% | -1.74% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.38% | 5.75% | -4.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.88% | 7.92% | -6.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.88% | 12.78% | -9.90% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.35% | 12.84% | -9.49% |
VCSH vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VCSH and VCLT have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VCSH vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison
VCSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, less than VCLT's 5.55% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 5.55% | 5.51% | 5.19% | 4.67% | 4.44% | 3.07% | 3.16% | 3.81% | 4.55% | 4.01% | 4.33% | 4.68% |
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
VCSH and VCLT have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VCLT has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to VCSH (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCSH dropped -12.86% vs VCLT's -34.31%.
On 10-year performance, VCSH leads with 2.70% vs 2.31% for VCLT. Both ETFs have the same 0.04% expense ratio. On volatility, VCSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VCSH has performed better with a 2.70% return vs 2.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCSH and VCLT have the same expense ratio: 0.04% per year.
VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 4.45% for VCSH.
VCSH tracks Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index, while VCLT tracks Barclays U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Index.
VCSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 0.97), 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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