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VCSH vs. VTI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VCSH vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCSH is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCSH returned 2.70%/yr vs 15.05%/yr for VTI. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VCSH charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

VCSH vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCSH achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.20% return. Over the past 10 years, VCSH has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 2.70%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.05% 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%

VTI

1D
-0.72%
1M
4.99%
YTD
11.20%
6M
11.09%
1Y
28.18%
3Y*
22.07%
5Y*
12.69%
10Y*
15.05%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VCSH vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		11.20%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VCSH and VTI is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.36

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.28

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.28

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.17

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009

0.09

Over the past year, VCSH and VTI have become more correlated (0.36) than their long-term average of 0.09, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Often compared with VCSH:
VCSH vs. VGSHVCSH vs. IGSBVCSH vs. BSVVCSH vs. BNDVCSH vs. VTIPVCSH vs. JPSTVCSH vs. VFSTX
Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

VCSH vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VCSH
VCSH Risk / Return Rank: 7474
Overall Rank
VCSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7373
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VCSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 8484
Sortino Ratio Rank
VCSH Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
VCSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
VCSH Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

VCSHVTIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.45
2.33

+0.12

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.85
3.18

+0.66

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.48

1.42

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.29

3.17

+0.12

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.55

14.62

-1.07

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. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCSH Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCSH and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VCSHVTIDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.45

2.33

+0.12

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.81

0.73

+0.08

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.81

0.82

-0.02

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

1.02

0.51

+0.51

Drawdowns

VCSH vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCSH drawdown since its inception was -12.86%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSH and VTI.

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Drawdown Indicators

VCSHVTIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-12.86%

-55.45%

+42.59%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.40%

-8.92%

+7.52%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.40%

-19.30%

+17.90%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-9.48%

-25.36%

+15.88%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-12.86%

-35.00%

+22.14%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.32%

-0.72%

+0.40%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.97%

-8.03%

+7.06%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.34%

1.93%

-1.59%

Volatility

VCSH vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is 0.57%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that VCSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VCSHVTIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.57%

2.96%

-2.39%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.38%

9.13%

-7.75%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.88%

12.17%

-10.29%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.88%

17.40%

-14.52%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

3.35%

18.30%

-14.95%

VCSH vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCSH has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI'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. VTI - Dividend Comparison

VCSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.01%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

VCSH and VTI have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VTI has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to VCSH (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCSH dropped -12.86% vs VTI's -55.45%.

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.05% vs 2.70% for VCSH. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. 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, VTI has performed better with a 15.05% return vs 2.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

VCSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.45%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

VCSH is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. VCSH tracks Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VCSH and 0.03% for VTI.

VCSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.33), 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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