VCSH vs. VYM
VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCSH is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCSH returned 2.70%/yr vs 11.90%/yr for VYM. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.
Performance
VCSH vs. VYM - 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 VYM's 12.47% return. Over the past 10 years, VCSH has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 2.70%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.90% 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%
VYM
- 1D
- -0.43%
- 1M
- 3.38%
- YTD
- 12.47%
- 6M
- 12.01%
- 1Y
- 26.16%
- 3Y*
- 18.88%
- 5Y*
- 11.48%
- 10Y*
- 11.90%
VCSH vs. VYM - 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% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 12.47% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 16.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCSH and VYM is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.06 |
Over the past year, VCSH and VYM have become more correlated (0.33) than their long-term average of 0.06, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VCSH vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
VCSH
VYM
VCSH vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.46 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.29 | 3.93 | -0.64 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.55 | 14.76 | -1.20 |
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 | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.45 | 2.56 | -0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.81 | 0.83 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.81 | 0.73 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.02 | 0.51 | +0.51 |
Drawdowns
VCSH vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCSH drawdown since its inception was -12.86%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCSH and VYM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCSH | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -12.86% | -56.98% | +44.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.40% | -6.69% | +5.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.40% | -14.46% | +13.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -9.48% | -15.84% | +6.36% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -12.86% | -35.21% | +22.35% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.32% | -0.43% | +0.11% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.97% | -7.19% | +6.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.34% | 1.78% | -1.44% |
Volatility
VCSH vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is 0.57%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 2.77%. This indicates that VCSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCSH | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.57% | 2.77% | -2.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.38% | 7.67% | -6.29% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.88% | 10.28% | -8.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.88% | 13.96% | -11.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.35% | 16.34% | -12.99% |
VCSH vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VCSH and VYM 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. VYM - Dividend Comparison
VCSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, more than VYM's 2.19% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.19% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VCSH and VYM have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VYM has higher volatility (2.77%) compared to VCSH (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCSH dropped -12.86% vs VYM's -56.98%.
On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.90% vs 2.70% for VCSH. 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, VYM has performed better with a 11.90% return vs 2.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCSH and VYM have the same expense ratio: 0.04% per year.
VCSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.45%, compared with 2.19% for VYM.
VCSH is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VYM is Dividend. VCSH tracks Barclays Capital U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.45), 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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