VPLS vs. VGMS
VPLS (Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF) and VGMS (Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPLS is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VGMS is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by Vanguard. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VPLS charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for VGMS.
Performance
VPLS vs. VGMS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VPLS achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly lower than VGMS's 1.06% return.
VPLS
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 0.64%
- 6M
- 0.57%
- 1Y
- 5.91%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VGMS
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- 0.29%
- YTD
- 1.06%
- 6M
- 1.35%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VPLS vs. VGMS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF | 0.64% | 4.64% |
VGMS Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF | 1.06% | 5.44% |
Correlation
The correlation between VPLS and VGMS is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2025 | 0.82 |
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Return for Risk
VPLS vs. VGMS — Risk / Return Rank
VPLS
VGMS
VPLS vs. VGMS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) and Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS). 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 | VGMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.18 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.10 | — | — |
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
| VPLS | VGMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.63 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.24 | 2.11 | -0.87 |
Drawdowns
VPLS vs. VGMS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VPLS drawdown since its inception was -4.17%, which is greater than VGMS's maximum drawdown of -2.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPLS and VGMS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VPLS | VGMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -4.17% | -2.46% | -1.71% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.72% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.21% | -0.39% | -0.82% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.01% | -0.31% | -0.70% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.83% | — | — |
Volatility
VPLS vs. VGMS - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| VPLS | VGMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.27% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.69% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.65% | 3.21% | +0.44% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.61% | 3.21% | +1.40% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.61% | 3.21% | +1.40% |
VPLS vs. VGMS - Expense Ratio Comparison
VPLS has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than VGMS's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
VPLS vs. VGMS - Dividend Comparison
VPLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.76%, less than VGMS's 5.16% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VGMS Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF | 5.16% | 2.94% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VPLS Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF | 4.76% | 4.78% | 4.52% | 0.18% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VPLS and VGMS have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VPLS is cheaper at 0.20% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VPLS is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for VGMS.
VGMS has the higher dividend yield at 5.16%, compared with 4.76% for VPLS.
VPLS is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while VGMS is Multisector Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for VPLS and 0.30% for VGMS.
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