VLTCX vs. VLCIX
VLTCX (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VLCIX (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Corporate Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VLTCX returned 2.42%/yr vs 2.43%/yr for VLCIX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VLTCX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VLCIX.
Performance
VLTCX vs. VLCIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VLTCX having a 1.22% return and VLCIX slightly higher at 1.23%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VLTCX having a 2.42% annualized return and VLCIX not far ahead at 2.43%.
VLTCX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 1.99%
- YTD
- 1.22%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- 1Y
- 8.16%
- 3Y*
- 4.67%
- 5Y*
- -1.46%
- 10Y*
- 2.42%
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%
VLTCX vs. VLCIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VLTCX Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.22% | 7.27% | -1.47% | 11.05% | -25.77% | -1.16% | 13.68% | 23.19% | -6.85% | 12.40% |
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% | 12.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between VLTCX and VLCIX is 1.00 - 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 | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 1.00 |
The correlation between VLTCX and VLCIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VLTCX vs. VLCIX — Risk / Return Rank
VLTCX
VLCIX
VLTCX vs. VLCIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLTCX) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VLCIX). 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.
| VLTCX | VLCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.19 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.60 | 1.61 | -0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.93 | 3.96 | -0.03 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VLTCX | VLCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.11 | 1.11 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.12 | -0.12 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.45 | 0.45 | 0.00 |
Drawdowns
VLTCX vs. VLCIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VLTCX drawdown since its inception was -34.56%, roughly equal to the maximum VLCIX drawdown of -34.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLTCX and VLCIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VLTCX | VLCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.56% | -34.56% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.29% | -5.26% | -0.03% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.87% | -12.86% | -0.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.56% | -34.56% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.56% | -34.56% | 0.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.80% | -13.74% | -0.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.04% | -8.03% | -0.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.15% | 2.13% | +0.02% |
Volatility
VLTCX vs. VLCIX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLTCX) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares (VLCIX) have volatilities of 2.46% and 2.45%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VLTCX | VLCIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.46% | 2.45% | +0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.52% | 5.49% | +0.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.68% | 7.65% | +0.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.87% | 11.88% | -0.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.60% | 10.61% | -0.01% |
VLTCX vs. VLCIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VLTCX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VLCIX's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VLTCX vs. VLCIX - Dividend Comparison
VLTCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.50%, which matches VLCIX's 5.52% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VLTCX Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 5.50% | 5.48% | 5.58% | 4.65% | 4.41% | 3.03% | 3.15% | 3.82% | 4.56% | 4.01% | 4.37% | 4.71% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, VLTCX and VLCIX 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.
VLTCX has higher volatility (2.46%) compared to VLCIX (2.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLTCX dropped -34.56% vs VLCIX's -34.56%.
VLCIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.11 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.
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