VSCSX vs. IBDO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSCSX (Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and IBDO (iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VSCSX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBDO.

Performance

VSCSX vs. IBDO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX) and iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF (IBDO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VSCSX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 0.71%
• 6M: 0.99%
• 1Y: 4.63%
• 3Y*: 5.66%
• 5Y*: 2.40%
• 10Y*: 2.73%

IBDO

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VSCSX vs. IBDO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.71%	6.75%	5.36%	6.11%	-5.72%	-0.43%	5.06%	6.85%	0.88%	2.46%
IBDO iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	4.93%	-0.68%	-0.29%	5.37%	8.94%	-0.49%	4.45%

Correlation

The correlation between VSCSX and IBDO is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 13, 2015	0.43

The correlation between VSCSX and IBDO shifts across timeframes, from 0.06 (3 years) to 0.44 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VSCSX vs. IBDO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSCSX

VSCSX Risk / Return Rank: 80
VSCSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VSCSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
VSCSX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VSCSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VSCSX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

VSCSX vs. IBDO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSCSX) and iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF (IBDO). 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.

	VSCSX	IBDO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.13	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.75	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VSCSX	IBDO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.16	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.36	—	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	VSCSX	IBDO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	—	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.98%	—	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.34%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VSCSX	IBDO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.57%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.27%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75%	—	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.71%	—	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.37%	—	—

VSCSX vs. IBDO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSCSX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than IBDO's 0.10% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VSCSX vs. IBDO - Dividend Comparison

VSCSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.42%, while IBDO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBDO iShares iBonds Dec 2023 Term Corporate ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.61%	1.85%	2.04%	2.47%	3.01%	3.10%	2.96%	3.01%	2.39%
VSCSX Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.42%	4.32%	4.27%	3.07%	1.98%	1.78%	2.25%	2.85%	2.66%	2.26%	1.93%	2.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSCSX and IBDO in my portfolio?

VSCSX and IBDO have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.