VEGBX vs. VGCAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VEGBX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares) and VGCAX (Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VEGBX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VGCAX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VEGBX returned 4.15%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for VGCAX. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VEGBX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for VGCAX.

Performance

VEGBX vs. VGCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX) and Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEGBX achieves a 2.18% return, which is significantly higher than VGCAX's 0.35% return.

VEGBX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -1.12%
• 6M: 1.65%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 1Y: 8.90%
• 3Y*: 9.99%
• 5Y*: 4.15%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.69%

VGCAX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -1.04%
• 6M: -0.22%
• YTD: 0.35%
• 1Y: 2.91%
• 3Y*: 5.66%
• 5Y*: 0.91%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.77%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VEGBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VGCAX Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VEGBX vs. VGCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VEGBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares	2.18%	14.46%	7.60%	13.81%	-13.02%	-1.44%	15.18%	17.87%	0.58%
VGCAX Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares	0.35%	7.30%	3.99%	9.22%	-13.43%	-0.64%	10.81%	13.05%	0.96%

Correlation

The correlation between VEGBX and VGCAX is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2018	0.66

The correlation between VEGBX and VGCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (all time) to 0.81 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VEGBX vs. VGCAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VEGBX

VEGBX Risk / Return Rank: 85
VEGBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VEGBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VEGBX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VEGBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VEGBX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

VGCAX

VGCAX Risk / Return Rank: 30
VGCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
VGCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
VGCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VGCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
VGCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VEGBX vs. VGCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX) and Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX). 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.

	VEGBX	VGCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.05	+1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	1.51	+1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.18	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	1.19	+1.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.42	3.74	+6.68

VEGBX vs. VGCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEGBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the VGCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEGBX and VGCAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VEGBX vs. VGCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEGBX drawdown since its inception was -24.27%, which is greater than VGCAX's maximum drawdown of -18.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEGBX and VGCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEGBX	VGCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.27%	-18.63%	-5.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.79%	-2.90%	-0.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.96%	-3.54%	-1.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.27%	-18.63%	-5.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.41%	-1.41%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.79%	-4.27%	+0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.89%	0.92%	-0.03%

Volatility

VEGBX vs. VGCAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX) has a higher volatility of 0.98% compared to Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX) at 0.87%. This indicates that VEGBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEGBX	VGCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.98%	0.87%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.70%	2.74%	+0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.36%	3.31%	+1.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.37%	5.08%	+1.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.33%	4.81%	+1.52%

VEGBX vs. VGCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEGBX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VGCAX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEGBX vs. VGCAX - Dividend Comparison

VEGBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.63%, more than VGCAX's 5.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEGBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares	5.63%	6.34%	7.02%	7.20%	5.61%	5.14%	4.62%	6.42%	5.00%	0.39%
VGCAX Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares	5.06%	4.91%	4.65%	4.48%	2.72%	3.16%	4.65%	6.88%	0.36%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEGBX and VGCAX in my portfolio?

VEGBX and VGCAX 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.

Which is riskier, VEGBX or VGCAX?

VEGBX has higher volatility (0.98%) compared to VGCAX (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEGBX dropped -24.27% vs VGCAX's -18.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEGBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.05), 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.