VPLS vs. VCIT
VPLS (Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF) and VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPLS is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. VPLS is actively managed, while VCIT is passively managed. Over the past year, VPLS returned 2.61% vs 2.20% for VCIT. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VPLS charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VCIT.
Performance
VPLS vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VPLS achieves a -0.07% return, which is significantly higher than VCIT's -0.64% return.
VPLS
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- -1.09%
- 6M
- -0.51%
- YTD
- -0.07%
- 1Y
- 2.61%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 5.02%
VCIT
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- -1.31%
- 6M
- -0.88%
- YTD
- -0.64%
- 1Y
- 2.20%
- 3Y*
- 5.78%
- 5Y*
- 0.64%
- 10Y*
- 2.65%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.24%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $656.43M | $641.05M | $718.26M | |
| $18.40M | $16.50M | $14.10M |
VPLS vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF | -0.07% | 7.86% | 2.72% | 2.83% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | -0.64% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 2.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between VPLS and VCIT is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023 | 0.95 |
The correlation between VPLS and VCIT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VPLS vs. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank
VPLS
VCIT
VPLS vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). 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.
| VPLS | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.29 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.13 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.26 | 1.04 | +0.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.57 | 2.91 | +0.66 |
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Drawdowns
VPLS vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VPLS drawdown since its inception was -4.17%, smaller than the maximum VCIT drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPLS and VCIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VPLS | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -4.17% | -20.56% | +16.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.72% | -2.96% | +0.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -5.29% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -20.56% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -20.56% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.91% | -2.16% | +0.25% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.02% | -3.14% | +2.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.96% | 1.06% | -0.10% |
Volatility
VPLS vs. VCIT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) is 0.94%, while Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) has a volatility of 1.12%. This indicates that VPLS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VPLS | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.94% | 1.12% | -0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.85% | 3.29% | -0.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.58% | 4.10% | -0.52% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.55% | 6.62% | -2.07% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.55% | 6.28% | -1.73% |
VPLS vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VPLS has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VCIT's 0.03% 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
VPLS vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison
VPLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.81%, less than VCIT's 4.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.46% | 4.62% | 4.43% | 3.72% | 3.03% | 2.87% | 2.78% | 3.37% | 3.61% | 3.21% | 3.29% | 3.34% |
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF | 4.40% | 4.78% | 4.52% | 0.18% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, VPLS and VCIT 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.
VCIT has higher volatility (1.12%) compared to VPLS (0.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPLS dropped -4.17% vs VCIT's -20.56%.
On 1-year performance, VPLS leads with 2.61% vs 2.20% for VCIT. On fees, VCIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VPLS has been the lower-risk option at 0.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, VPLS has performed better with a 2.61% return vs 2.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for VPLS.
VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.46%, compared with 4.40% for VPLS.
VPLS is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while VCIT is Corporate Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for VPLS and 0.03% for VCIT.
VPLS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.96 vs 0.75), 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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