VIG vs. VCSH
VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) and VCSH (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VIG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while VCSH is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIG returned 13.24%/yr vs 2.70%/yr for VCSH. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.
Performance
VIG vs. VCSH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIG achieves a 7.68% return, which is significantly higher than VCSH's 0.80% return. Over the past 10 years, VIG has outperformed VCSH with an annualized return of 13.24%, while VCSH has yielded a comparatively lower 2.70% annualized return.
VIG
- 1D
- 0.53%
- 1M
- 2.11%
- YTD
- 7.68%
- 6M
- 6.99%
- 1Y
- 19.52%
- 3Y*
- 15.98%
- 5Y*
- 10.74%
- 10Y*
- 13.24%
VCSH
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.30%
- YTD
- 0.80%
- 6M
- 1.22%
- 1Y
- 4.60%
- 3Y*
- 5.69%
- 5Y*
- 2.33%
- 10Y*
- 2.70%
VIG vs. VCSH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | 7.68% | 14.17% | 16.99% | 14.51% | -9.80% | 23.76% | 15.43% | 29.62% | -2.08% | 22.22% |
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.80% | 6.77% | 4.91% | 6.20% | -5.62% | -0.63% | 5.13% | 7.02% | 0.92% | 2.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIG and VCSH is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009 | 0.10 |
Over the past year, VIG and VCSH have become more correlated (0.39) than their long-term average of 0.10, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VIG vs. VCSH — Risk / Return Rank
VIG
VCSH
VIG vs. VCSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) and Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH). 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.
| VIG | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.57 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.47 | -0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.32 | 3.18 | -0.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.34 | 12.95 | -3.61 |
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Drawdowns
VIG vs. VCSH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIG drawdown since its inception was -46.81%, which is greater than VCSH's maximum drawdown of -12.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIG and VCSH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIG | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.81% | -12.86% | -33.95% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.91% | -1.40% | -6.51% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.95% | -1.40% | -13.55% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.39% | -9.48% | -10.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.72% | -12.86% | -18.86% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.33% | -0.17% | -0.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.51% | -0.97% | -4.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.96% | 0.34% | +1.62% |
Volatility
VIG vs. VCSH - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) has a higher volatility of 2.93% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) at 0.66%. This indicates that VIG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VIG | VCSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.93% | 0.66% | +2.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.78% | 1.42% | +6.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.19% | 1.88% | +8.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.25% | 2.88% | +11.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.06% | 3.35% | +12.71% |
VIG vs. VCSH - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VIG and VCSH have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VIG vs. VCSH - Dividend Comparison
VIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, less than VCSH's 4.45% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCSH Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.45% | 4.35% | 3.96% | 3.09% | 2.01% | 1.81% | 2.27% | 2.87% | 2.65% | 2.26% | 2.10% | 2.08% |
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | 1.47% | 1.62% | 1.73% | 1.88% | 1.96% | 1.55% | 1.63% | 1.71% | 2.08% | 1.88% | 2.14% | 2.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VIG and VCSH have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VIG has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to VCSH (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIG dropped -46.81% vs VCSH's -12.86%.
On 10-year performance, VIG leads with 13.24% vs 2.70% for VCSH. Both ETFs have the same 0.04% expense ratio. On volatility, VCSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VIG has performed better with a 13.24% return vs 2.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VIG and VCSH have the same expense ratio: 0.04% per year.
VCSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.45%, compared with 1.47% for VIG.
VIG is categorized as Dividend, while VCSH is Corporate Bonds. VIG tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while VCSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1-5 Year Corporate Bond Index.
VCSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.80), 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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