VICSX vs. VSCSX
VICSX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VSCSX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VICSX is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while VSCSX is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VICSX returned 2.66%/yr vs 2.64%/yr for VSCSX. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.06% expense ratio.
Performance
VICSX vs. VSCSX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VICSX achieves a -0.51% return, which is significantly lower than VSCSX's 0.84% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VICSX having a 2.66% annualized return and VSCSX not far behind at 2.64%.
VICSX
- 1D
- 0.14%
- 1M
- -1.04%
- 6M
- -0.68%
- YTD
- -0.51%
- 1Y
- 2.40%
- 3Y*
- 5.76%
- 5Y*
- 0.73%
- 10Y*
- 2.66%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.26%
VSCSX
- 1D
- 0.05%
- 1M
- -0.09%
- 6M
- 0.47%
- YTD
- 0.84%
- 1Y
- 3.13%
- 3Y*
- 5.51%
- 5Y*
- 2.36%
- 10Y*
- 2.64%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.89%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VICSX vs. VSCSX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | -0.51% | 9.36% | 3.66% | 8.88% | -14.09% | -1.56% | 9.52% | 13.99% | -1.73% | 5.47% |
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.84% | 6.75% | 5.36% | 6.11% | -5.72% | -0.43% | 5.06% | 6.85% | 0.88% | 2.46% |
Correlation
The correlation between VICSX and VSCSX is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.92 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.93 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.91 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009 | 0.90 |
The correlation between VICSX and VSCSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VICSX vs. VSCSX — Risk / Return Rank
VICSX
VSCSX
VICSX vs. VSCSX - 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 Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX). 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 | VSCSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.40 | -0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.09 | 2.69 | -1.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.04 | 10.30 | -7.25 |
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Drawdowns
VICSX vs. VSCSX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VICSX drawdown since its inception was -20.53%, which is greater than VSCSX's maximum drawdown of -9.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VICSX and VSCSX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VICSX | VSCSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.53% | -9.36% | -11.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.98% | -1.36% | -1.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.22% | -1.36% | -3.86% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.46% | -9.32% | -11.14% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.53% | -9.36% | -11.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.02% | -0.23% | -1.79% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.14% | -0.97% | -2.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.07% | 0.36% | +0.71% |
Volatility
VICSX vs. VSCSX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VICSX) has a higher volatility of 1.03% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX) at 0.51%. This indicates that VICSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSCSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VICSX | VSCSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.03% | 0.51% | +0.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.11% | 1.43% | +1.68% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.90% | 1.79% | +2.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.17% | 2.73% | +3.44% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.34% | 2.37% | +2.97% |
VICSX vs. VSCSX - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VICSX and VSCSX have an expense ratio of 0.06%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VICSX vs. VSCSX - Dividend Comparison
VICSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.42%, more than VSCSX's 4.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VICSX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 4.42% | 4.59% | 4.77% | 3.70% | 3.00% | 2.76% | 2.77% | 3.35% | 3.62% | 3.22% | 3.03% | 3.36% |
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 4.05% | 4.32% | 4.27% | 3.07% | 1.98% | 1.78% | 2.25% | 2.85% | 2.66% | 2.26% | 1.93% | 2.21% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.92, VICSX and VSCSX 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 (1.03%) compared to VSCSX (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VICSX dropped -20.53% vs VSCSX's -9.36%.
VSCSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 0.84), 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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