VEA vs. VCIT
VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEA returned 10.72%/yr vs 2.93%/yr for VCIT. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VEA vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VEA achieves a 14.73% return, which is significantly higher than VCIT's 0.41% return. Over the past 10 years, VEA has outperformed VCIT with an annualized return of 10.72%, while VCIT has yielded a comparatively lower 2.93% annualized return.
VEA
- 1D
- 0.34%
- 1M
- 3.58%
- YTD
- 14.73%
- 6M
- 16.65%
- 1Y
- 31.41%
- 3Y*
- 19.03%
- 5Y*
- 9.51%
- 10Y*
- 10.72%
VCIT
- 1D
- -0.07%
- 1M
- 0.96%
- YTD
- 0.41%
- 6M
- 0.89%
- 1Y
- 6.00%
- 3Y*
- 6.37%
- 5Y*
- 1.11%
- 10Y*
- 2.93%
VEA vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 14.73% | 35.16% | 3.15% | 17.93% | -15.34% | 11.66% | 9.71% | 22.62% | -14.75% | 26.42% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.41% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -13.98% | -1.77% | 9.46% | 14.10% | -1.74% | 5.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between VEA and VCIT is 0.51, 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 | 0.51 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009 | 0.09 |
Over the past year, VEA and VCIT have become more correlated (0.51) than their long-term average of 0.09, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VEA vs. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank
VEA
VCIT
VEA vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). 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.
| VEA | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.48 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.24 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.58 | 1.88 | +0.69 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.92 | 6.07 | +3.84 |
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Drawdowns
VEA vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than VCIT's maximum drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and VCIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VEA | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.68% | -20.56% | -40.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.63% | -2.96% | -8.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.45% | -6.11% | -7.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.71% | -20.56% | -9.15% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.73% | -20.56% | -15.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.06% | -1.13% | +0.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.28% | -3.16% | -10.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.02% | 0.92% | +2.10% |
Volatility
VEA vs. VCIT - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a higher volatility of 6.84% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) at 1.48%. This indicates that VEA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VEA | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.84% | 1.48% | +5.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.38% | 3.15% | +11.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.58% | 4.10% | +12.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.72% | 6.62% | +10.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.40% | 6.28% | +11.12% |
VEA vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VEA and VCIT have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VEA vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison
VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, less than VCIT's 4.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.79% | 4.62% | 4.43% | 3.72% | 3.03% | 2.87% | 2.78% | 3.37% | 3.61% | 3.21% | 3.29% | 3.34% |
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 2.62% | 3.22% | 3.35% | 3.15% | 2.91% | 3.16% | 2.04% | 3.04% | 3.35% | 2.77% | 3.05% | 2.92% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VEA and VCIT have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VEA has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to VCIT (1.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs VCIT's -20.56%.
On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.72% vs 2.93% for VCIT. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VCIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.72% return vs 2.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VEA and VCIT have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.79%, compared with 2.62% for VEA.
VEA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VCIT is Corporate Bonds. VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index.
VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.36), 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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