VGMS vs. VCIT

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT).

VGMS and VCIT are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VGMS is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Jun 9, 2025. VCIT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the Barclays U.S. 5-10 Year Corp Index. It was launched on Nov 19, 2009.

Performance

VGMS vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VGMS vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VGMS Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF	-0.28%	5.44%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	-0.45%	5.49%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGMS achieves a -0.28% return, which is significantly higher than VCIT's -0.45% return.

VGMS

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: -0.28%
• 6M: 1.27%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCIT

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: -1.98%
• YTD: -0.45%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 6.08%
• 3Y*: 5.56%
• 5Y*: 1.42%
• 10Y*: 3.06%

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

VGMS vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGMS has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than VCIT's 0.04% expense ratio.

VGMS

Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF

VCIT

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF

Return for Risk

VGMS vs. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCIT

VCIT Risk / Return Rank: 74
VCIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VCIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VCIT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VCIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VCIT Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VGMS vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGMS	VCIT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.22	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.08	0.75	+1.33

Correlation

The correlation between VGMS and VCIT is 0.84, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VGMS vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison

VGMS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.83%, less than VCIT's 4.72% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGMS Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF	3.83%	2.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF	4.72%	4.62%	4.43%	3.72%	3.03%	2.87%	2.78%	3.37%	3.61%	3.21%	3.29%	3.34%

Drawdowns

VGMS vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGMS drawdown since its inception was -2.46%, smaller than the maximum VCIT drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGMS and VCIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGMS	VCIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-20.56%	+18.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.99%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.56%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-20.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-1.98%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.27%	-3.18%	+2.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.85%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VGMS	VCIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.07%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	2.84%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.12%	4.85%	-1.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.12%	6.60%	-3.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.12%	6.27%	-3.15%