VLCIX vs. BFCAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VLCIX (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) and BFCAX (American Funds Corporate Bond Fund) are both Corporate Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, VLCIX returned -1.44%/yr vs -0.20%/yr for BFCAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VLCIX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for BFCAX.

Performance

VLCIX vs. BFCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VLCIX) and American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (BFCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLCIX achieves a 1.23% return, which is significantly higher than BFCAX's 0.46% return.

VLCIX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: 1.23%
• 6M: 0.35%
• 1Y: 8.16%
• 3Y*: 4.70%
• 5Y*: -1.44%
• 10Y*: 2.43%

BFCAX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 0.46%
• 6M: 0.18%
• 1Y: 5.25%
• 3Y*: 4.31%
• 5Y*: -0.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

VLCIX vs. BFCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLCIX Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.23%	7.27%	-1.43%	11.06%	-25.75%	-1.24%	13.74%	23.18%	-6.86%	12.08%
BFCAX American Funds Corporate Bond Fund	0.46%	6.67%	1.71%	6.85%	-16.51%	-2.15%	13.05%	13.21%	-2.50%	5.61%

Correlation

The correlation between VLCIX and BFCAX is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.94

The correlation between VLCIX and BFCAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VLCIX vs. BFCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLCIX

VLCIX Risk / Return Rank: 16
VLCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
VLCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
VLCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VLCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VLCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

BFCAX

BFCAX Risk / Return Rank: 19
BFCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
BFCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
BFCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
BFCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
BFCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

VLCIX vs. BFCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VLCIX) and American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (BFCAX). 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.

	VLCIX	BFCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	1.23	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	1.81	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.22	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	1.73	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.96	5.10	-1.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLCIX vs. BFCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLCIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is comparable to the BFCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLCIX and BFCAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VLCIX	BFCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.11	1.23	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.12	-0.03	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.41	+0.04

Drawdowns

VLCIX vs. BFCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLCIX drawdown since its inception was -34.56%, which is greater than BFCAX's maximum drawdown of -23.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLCIX and BFCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLCIX	BFCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.56%	-23.01%	-11.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.26%	-3.11%	-2.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.86%	-6.92%	-5.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.56%	-22.55%	-12.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.74%	-4.85%	-8.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.03%	-6.45%	-1.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	1.05%	+1.08%

Volatility

VLCIX vs. BFCAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VLCIX) has a higher volatility of 2.45% compared to American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (BFCAX) at 1.48%. This indicates that VLCIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BFCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLCIX	BFCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.45%	1.48%	+0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.49%	3.19%	+2.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.65%	4.39%	+3.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.88%	6.71%	+5.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.61%	5.99%	+4.62%

VLCIX vs. BFCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLCIX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than BFCAX's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

VLCIX vs. BFCAX - Dividend Comparison

VLCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.52%, more than BFCAX's 4.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BFCAX American Funds Corporate Bond Fund	4.19%	4.20%	4.06%	2.82%	1.95%	1.50%	4.43%	3.44%	2.63%	2.68%	0.00%	0.00%
VLCIX Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.52%	5.50%	5.60%	4.67%	4.43%	2.95%	3.17%	3.83%	4.58%	4.03%	4.39%	4.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLCIX and BFCAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VLCIX and BFCAX 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.

Which is riskier, VLCIX or BFCAX?

VLCIX has higher volatility (2.45%) compared to BFCAX (1.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLCIX dropped -34.56% vs BFCAX's -23.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BFCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 1.11), 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.