VPLS vs. VCRM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) and Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM).

VPLS and VCRM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VPLS is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 7, 2023. VCRM is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the S&P Broad AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. It was launched on Nov 21, 2024.

Performance

VPLS vs. VCRM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) and Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VPLS vs. VCRM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	0.02%	7.86%	-0.32%
VCRM Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.04%	4.91%	-0.58%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPLS achieves a 0.02% return, which is significantly lower than VCRM's 0.04% return.

VPLS

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: -1.81%
• YTD: 0.02%
• 6M: 1.10%
• 1Y: 4.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCRM

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: -2.12%
• YTD: 0.04%
• 6M: 1.72%
• 1Y: 4.92%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VPLS vs. VCRM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPLS has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VCRM's 0.12% 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%.

VPLS

Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF

VCRM

Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF

Return for Risk

VPLS vs. VCRM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPLS

VPLS Risk / Return Rank: 67
VPLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VPLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VPLS Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VPLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VPLS Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VCRM

VCRM Risk / Return Rank: 63
VCRM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VCRM Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VCRM Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VCRM Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VCRM Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

VPLS vs. VCRM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) and Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM). 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.

	VPLS	VCRM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	1.23	-0.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.61	1.57	+0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.27	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	1.59	+0.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.99	4.54	+1.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VPLS vs. VCRM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPLS Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is comparable to the VCRM Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPLS and VCRM, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VPLS	VCRM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.16	1.23	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	0.81	+0.45

Correlation

The correlation between VPLS and VCRM is 0.65, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VPLS vs. VCRM - Dividend Comparison

VPLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.77%, more than VCRM's 3.56% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF	4.77%	4.78%	4.52%	0.18%
VCRM Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.56%	3.42%	0.40%	0.00%

Drawdowns

VPLS vs. VCRM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPLS drawdown since its inception was -4.17%, roughly equal to the maximum VCRM drawdown of -4.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPLS and VCRM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPLS	VCRM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.17%	-4.12%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.72%	-3.22%	+0.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.81%	-2.12%	+0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.98%	-1.15%	+0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	1.12%	-0.26%

Volatility

VPLS vs. VCRM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) has a higher volatility of 1.74% compared to Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM) at 1.54%. This indicates that VPLS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCRM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPLS	VCRM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.74%	1.54%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.51%	2.05%	+0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.26%	4.01%	+0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.67%	4.00%	+0.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.67%	4.00%	+0.67%