VSCA.L vs. USDG.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VSCA.L (Vanguard USD Corporate 1-3 Year Bond UCITS ETF Accumulating) and USDG.L (L&G ESG USD Corporate Bond UCITS ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - VSCA.L tracks the Bloomberg US Corp 1-3 Yr TR USD while USDG.L tracks the Bloomberg US Corp Bond TR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VSCA.L returned 3.66%/yr vs 2.06%/yr for USDG.L. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.

Performance

VSCA.L vs. USDG.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Vanguard USD Corporate 1-3 Year Bond UCITS ETF Accumulating (VSCA.L) and L&G ESG USD Corporate Bond UCITS ETF (USDG.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VSCA.L is traded in GBP, while USDG.L is traded in GBp. To make them comparable, the USDG.L values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSCA.L achieves a 0.94% return, which is significantly higher than USDG.L's 0.73% return.

VSCA.L

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.13%
• YTD: 0.94%
• 6M: 0.58%
• 1Y: 5.25%
• 3Y*: 2.72%
• 5Y*: 3.66%
• 10Y*: —

USDG.L

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 1.46%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 0.35%
• 1Y: 6.56%
• 3Y*: 2.83%
• 5Y*: 2.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

VSCA.L vs. USDG.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VSCA.L Vanguard USD Corporate 1-3 Year Bond UCITS ETF Accumulating	0.94%	-1.28%	7.12%	-0.30%	7.72%	1.51%
USDG.L L&G ESG USD Corporate Bond UCITS ETF	0.73%	0.15%	4.75%	2.41%	-3.62%	1.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VSCA.L and USDG.L is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2021	0.79

The correlation between VSCA.L and USDG.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSCA.L vs. USDG.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSCA.L

VSCA.L Risk / Return Rank: 24
VSCA.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
VSCA.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
VSCA.L Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VSCA.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VSCA.L Martin Ratio Rank: 24

USDG.L

USDG.L Risk / Return Rank: 26
USDG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
USDG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
USDG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 26
USDG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
USDG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

VSCA.L vs. USDG.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard USD Corporate 1-3 Year Bond UCITS ETF Accumulating (VSCA.L) and L&G ESG USD Corporate Bond UCITS ETF (USDG.L). 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.

	VSCA.L	USDG.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.82	0.83	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	1.24	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.17	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	1.44	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.07	3.32	-0.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSCA.L vs. USDG.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSCA.L Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is comparable to the USDG.L Sharpe Ratio of 0.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSCA.L and USDG.L, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VSCA.L	USDG.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82	0.83	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.24	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.13	+0.15

Drawdowns

VSCA.L vs. USDG.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSCA.L drawdown since its inception was -15.11%, which is greater than USDG.L's maximum drawdown of -12.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSCA.L and USDG.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSCA.L	USDG.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.11%	-12.80%	-2.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.25%	-4.53%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.78%	-8.61%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.11%	-12.80%	-2.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.61%	-2.29%	-1.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.75%	-5.01%	-1.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	1.97%	-0.35%

Volatility

VSCA.L vs. USDG.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard USD Corporate 1-3 Year Bond UCITS ETF Accumulating (VSCA.L) is 1.77%, while L&G ESG USD Corporate Bond UCITS ETF (USDG.L) has a volatility of 1.98%. This indicates that VSCA.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USDG.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSCA.L	USDG.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.77%	1.98%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.39%	6.75%	-2.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.05%	7.88%	-1.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.88%	8.67%	-0.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.99%	8.64%	+0.35%

VSCA.L vs. USDG.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VSCA.L and USDG.L have an expense ratio of 0.09%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VSCA.L vs. USDG.L - Dividend Comparison

VSCA.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while USDG.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
USDG.L L&G ESG USD Corporate Bond UCITS ETF	4.67%	4.70%	3.99%	3.27%	2.25%	0.76%
VSCA.L Vanguard USD Corporate 1-3 Year Bond UCITS ETF Accumulating	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSCA.L and USDG.L in my portfolio?

VSCA.L and USDG.L have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VSCA.L or USDG.L?

Both ETFs have the same 0.09% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSCA.L or USDG.L?

VSCA.L and USDG.L have the same expense ratio: 0.09% per year.

What is the main difference between VSCA.L and USDG.L?

VSCA.L tracks Bloomberg US Corp 1-3 Yr TR USD, while USDG.L tracks Bloomberg US Corp Bond TR USD. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Legal & General.