VTC vs. HACBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTC (Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF) and HACBX (Harbor Core Bond Fund) are both funds - VTC is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index, while HACBX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Harbor. Over the past 5 years, VTC returned 0.51%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for HACBX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTC charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HACBX.

Performance

VTC vs. HACBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC) and Harbor Core Bond Fund (HACBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTC achieves a 0.60% return, which is significantly higher than HACBX's 0.53% return.

VTC

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.63%
• YTD: 0.60%
• 6M: 0.33%
• 1Y: 5.99%
• 3Y*: 5.22%
• 5Y*: 0.51%
• 10Y*: —

HACBX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 0.53%
• 6M: 0.43%
• 1Y: 5.52%
• 3Y*: 4.07%
• 5Y*: 0.14%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTC vs. HACBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VTC Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF	0.60%	7.58%	2.15%	8.58%	-15.68%	-1.41%	9.30%	14.60%	0.90%
HACBX Harbor Core Bond Fund	0.53%	7.02%	1.57%	5.73%	-13.36%	-1.66%	9.10%	8.58%	1.75%

Correlation

The correlation between VTC and HACBX is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2018	0.86

The correlation between VTC and HACBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTC vs. HACBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTC

VTC Risk / Return Rank: 39
VTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VTC Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VTC Martin Ratio Rank: 41

HACBX

HACBX Risk / Return Rank: 26
HACBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
HACBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
HACBX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
HACBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
HACBX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

VTC vs. HACBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC) and Harbor Core Bond Fund (HACBX). 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.

	VTC	HACBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	1.45	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	2.15	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.26	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.09	1.98	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.63	6.12	+0.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTC vs. HACBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTC Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is comparable to the HACBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTC and HACBX, 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

	VTC	HACBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.38	1.45	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.02	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.41	-0.10

Drawdowns

VTC vs. HACBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTC drawdown since its inception was -22.05%, which is greater than HACBX's maximum drawdown of -18.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTC and HACBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTC	HACBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.05%	-18.48%	-3.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.88%	-2.80%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.46%	-6.26%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.05%	-18.43%	-3.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-1.60%	+0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-5.30%	-0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.90%	0.90%	0.00%

Volatility

VTC vs. HACBX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC) and Harbor Core Bond Fund (HACBX) have volatilities of 1.43% and 1.37%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTC	HACBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.43%	1.37%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.22%	2.75%	+0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.37%	3.85%	+0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.08%	5.93%	+1.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.68%	5.26%	+2.42%

VTC vs. HACBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTC has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than HACBX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTC vs. HACBX - Dividend Comparison

VTC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.93%, more than HACBX's 4.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HACBX Harbor Core Bond Fund	4.51%	4.50%	4.21%	3.83%	3.15%	2.18%	4.43%	3.55%	1.73%	0.00%
VTC Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF	4.93%	4.76%	4.50%	3.80%	3.13%	2.36%	2.69%	3.34%	3.53%	0.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTC and HACBX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VTC and HACBX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VTC or HACBX?

VTC has higher volatility (1.43%) compared to HACBX (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTC dropped -22.05% vs HACBX's -18.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HACBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 vs 1.38), 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.