VPU vs. VCIT
VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) and VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VPU returned 8.85%/yr vs 2.85%/yr for VCIT. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VPU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VCIT.
Performance
VPU vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VPU achieves a 2.68% return, which is significantly higher than VCIT's -0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, VPU has outperformed VCIT with an annualized return of 8.85%, while VCIT has yielded a comparatively lower 2.85% annualized return.
VPU
- 1D
- -1.87%
- 1M
- -2.65%
- YTD
- 2.68%
- 6M
- 3.11%
- 1Y
- 10.68%
- 3Y*
- 12.74%
- 5Y*
- 8.91%
- 10Y*
- 8.85%
VCIT
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- -0.79%
- YTD
- -0.26%
- 6M
- 0.06%
- 1Y
- 5.98%
- 3Y*
- 6.04%
- 5Y*
- 1.04%
- 10Y*
- 2.85%
VPU vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF | 2.68% | 16.46% | 23.04% | -7.45% | 1.06% | 17.40% | -0.74% | 24.89% | 4.38% | 12.44% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | -0.26% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -13.98% | -1.77% | 9.46% | 14.10% | -1.74% | 5.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between VPU and VCIT is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.19 |
The correlation between VPU and VCIT shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (all time) to 0.32 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VPU vs. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank
VPU
VCIT
VPU vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) 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.
| VPU | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.73 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.26 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.20 | 2.03 | -0.82 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.66 | 6.67 | -4.01 |
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
| VPU | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75 | 1.48 | -0.73 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 | 0.16 | +0.37 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.46 | 0.46 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.53 | 0.75 | -0.22 |
Drawdowns
VPU vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VPU drawdown since its inception was -46.31%, which is greater than VCIT's maximum drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPU and VCIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VPU | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.31% | -20.56% | -25.75% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.90% | -2.96% | -5.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.34% | -6.11% | -11.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.15% | -20.56% | -4.59% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.42% | -20.56% | -15.86% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.71% | -1.79% | -5.92% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.78% | -3.16% | -4.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.02% | 0.90% | +3.12% |
Volatility
VPU vs. VCIT - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a higher volatility of 5.56% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) at 1.39%. This indicates that VPU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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
| VPU | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.56% | 1.39% | +4.17% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.53% | 3.10% | +8.43% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.38% | 4.07% | +10.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.07% | 6.61% | +10.46% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.14% | 6.28% | +12.86% |
VPU vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VPU has a 0.09% 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
VPU vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison
VPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, less than VCIT's 4.82% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.82% | 4.62% | 4.43% | 3.72% | 3.03% | 2.87% | 2.78% | 3.37% | 3.61% | 3.21% | 3.29% | 3.34% |
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF | 2.70% | 2.73% | 3.02% | 3.49% | 2.98% | 2.70% | 3.17% | 2.83% | 3.23% | 3.18% | 3.19% | 3.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VPU and VCIT have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VPU has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to VCIT (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPU dropped -46.31% vs VCIT's -20.56%.
On 10-year performance, VPU leads with 8.85% vs 2.85% for VCIT. On fees, VCIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VCIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VPU has performed better with a 8.85% return vs 2.85%. 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 0.09% for VPU.
VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.82%, compared with 2.70% for VPU.
VPU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while VCIT is Corporate Bonds. VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VPU and 0.03% for VCIT.
VCIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 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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