VEMBX vs. SHCDX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VEMBX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares) and SHCDX (Virtus Stone Harbor Emerg Mkts Corp Dbt) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, VEMBX returned 4.30%/yr vs 3.13%/yr for SHCDX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEMBX charges 0.55%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for SHCDX.

Performance

VEMBX vs. SHCDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares (VEMBX) and Virtus Stone Harbor Emerg Mkts Corp Dbt (SHCDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VEMBX having a 3.26% return and SHCDX slightly higher at 3.29%.

VEMBX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.73%
• YTD: 3.26%
• 6M: 3.46%
• 1Y: 12.76%
• 3Y*: 11.19%
• 5Y*: 4.30%
• 10Y*: —

SHCDX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 1.07%
• YTD: 3.29%
• 6M: 3.42%
• 1Y: 8.87%
• 3Y*: 8.66%
• 5Y*: 3.13%
• 10Y*: 4.66%

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

VEMBX vs. SHCDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEMBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares	3.26%	14.32%	7.38%	13.66%	-13.18%	-1.53%	14.99%	17.72%	-0.89%	13.12%
SHCDX Virtus Stone Harbor Emerg Mkts Corp Dbt	3.29%	8.81%	7.58%	9.70%	-11.76%	1.95%	7.77%	13.94%	-3.90%	9.29%

Correlation

The correlation between VEMBX and SHCDX is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.68

The correlation between VEMBX and SHCDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VEMBX vs. SHCDX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VEMBX

VEMBX Risk / Return Rank: 89
VEMBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VEMBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VEMBX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
VEMBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VEMBX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

SHCDX

SHCDX Risk / Return Rank: 96
SHCDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
SHCDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
SHCDX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
SHCDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SHCDX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

VEMBX vs. SHCDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares (VEMBX) and Virtus Stone Harbor Emerg Mkts Corp Dbt (SHCDX). 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.

	VEMBX	SHCDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.99	4.36	-1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.87	7.16	-2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	2.24	-0.63
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.46	4.68	-1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.27	19.01	-3.74

VEMBX vs. SHCDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEMBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.99, which is lower than the SHCDX Sharpe Ratio of 4.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEMBX and SHCDX, 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

VEMBX vs. SHCDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEMBX drawdown since its inception was -24.36%, smaller than the maximum SHCDX drawdown of -26.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEMBX and SHCDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEMBX	SHCDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.36%	-26.24%	+1.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.77%	-1.90%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.56%	-3.86%	-1.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.36%	-21.81%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-0.05%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.85%	-3.11%	-0.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	0.47%	+0.38%

Volatility

VEMBX vs. SHCDX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares (VEMBX) has a higher volatility of 1.11% compared to Virtus Stone Harbor Emerg Mkts Corp Dbt (SHCDX) at 0.52%. This indicates that VEMBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SHCDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEMBX	SHCDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.11%	0.52%	+0.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.64%	1.70%	+1.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.37%	2.05%	+2.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.36%	3.87%	+2.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.35%	4.95%	+1.40%

VEMBX vs. SHCDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEMBX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than SHCDX's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEMBX vs. SHCDX - Dividend Comparison

VEMBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.98%, which matches SHCDX's 5.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SHCDX Virtus Stone Harbor Emerg Mkts Corp Dbt	5.99%	6.00%	6.33%	5.72%	5.52%	4.65%	5.28%	4.72%	6.08%	4.10%	5.44%	5.04%
VEMBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Investor Shares	5.98%	6.20%	6.86%	7.06%	5.43%	5.00%	4.50%	6.27%	4.81%	6.50%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEMBX and SHCDX in my portfolio?

VEMBX and SHCDX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEMBX or SHCDX?

VEMBX has higher volatility (1.11%) compared to SHCDX (0.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEMBX dropped -24.36% vs SHCDX's -26.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SHCDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.36 vs 2.99), 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.