VICSX vs. VCOBX
VICSX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VCOBX (Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VICSX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while VCOBX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VICSX returned 2.89%/yr vs 2.12%/yr for VCOBX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VICSX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VCOBX.
Performance
VICSX vs. VCOBX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VICSX achieves a 0.13% return, which is significantly lower than VCOBX's 0.54% return. Over the past 10 years, VICSX has outperformed VCOBX with an annualized return of 2.89%, while VCOBX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.12% annualized return.
VICSX
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 0.46%
- YTD
- 0.13%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- 1Y
- 5.06%
- 3Y*
- 6.18%
- 5Y*
- 1.18%
- 10Y*
- 2.89%
VCOBX
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- 0.61%
- YTD
- 0.54%
- 6M
- 0.65%
- 1Y
- 4.61%
- 3Y*
- 4.80%
- 5Y*
- 0.50%
- 10Y*
- 2.12%
VICSX vs. VCOBX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.13% | 9.36% | 3.66% | 8.88% | -14.09% | -1.56% | 9.52% | 13.99% | -1.73% | 5.47% |
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares | 0.54% | 7.73% | 2.21% | 6.39% | -13.13% | -1.51% | 10.41% | 9.64% | -0.85% | 3.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between VICSX and VCOBX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2016 | 0.96 |
The correlation between VICSX and VCOBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VICSX vs. VCOBX — Risk / Return Rank
VICSX
VCOBX
VICSX vs. VCOBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX) and Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX). 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.
| VICSX | VCOBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.24 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.80 | 1.86 | -0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.67 | 5.25 | +0.41 |
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Drawdowns
VICSX vs. VCOBX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VICSX drawdown since its inception was -20.53%, which is greater than VCOBX's maximum drawdown of -18.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VICSX and VCOBX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VICSX | VCOBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.53% | -18.14% | -2.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.98% | -2.62% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.02% | -5.63% | -0.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.53% | -18.03% | -2.50% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.53% | -18.14% | -2.39% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.39% | -1.30% | -0.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.15% | -4.16% | +1.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.95% | 0.92% | +0.03% |
Volatility
VICSX vs. VCOBX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX) has a higher volatility of 1.17% compared to Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCOBX) at 1.05%. This indicates that VICSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCOBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VICSX | VCOBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.17% | 1.05% | +0.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.99% | 2.74% | +0.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.91% | 3.64% | +0.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.17% | 5.78% | +0.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.35% | 4.76% | +0.59% |
VICSX vs. VCOBX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VICSX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VCOBX's 0.10% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VICSX vs. VCOBX - Dividend Comparison
VICSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.77%, which matches VCOBX's 4.74% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCOBX Vanguard Core Bond Fund Admiral Shares | 4.74% | 4.80% | 5.04% | 4.44% | 3.01% | 1.23% | 3.09% | 3.08% | 3.10% | 2.20% | 2.29% | 0.00% |
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 4.77% | 4.59% | 4.77% | 3.70% | 3.00% | 2.76% | 2.77% | 3.35% | 3.62% | 3.22% | 3.03% | 3.36% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, VICSX and VCOBX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VICSX has higher volatility (1.17%) compared to VCOBX (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VICSX dropped -20.53% vs VCOBX's -18.14%.
VICSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 1.34), 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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