VTC vs. SUSC
VTC (Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF) and SUSC (iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF) are both Corporate Bonds funds - VTC tracks the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index while SUSC tracks the Bloomberg MSCI US Corporate ESG Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VTC returned 0.51%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SUSC. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTC charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for SUSC.
Performance
VTC vs. SUSC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTC achieves a 0.60% return, which is significantly higher than SUSC's 0.47% return.
VTC
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 0.60%
- 6M
- 0.33%
- 1Y
- 5.99%
- 3Y*
- 5.22%
- 5Y*
- 0.51%
- 10Y*
- —
SUSC
- 1D
- -0.13%
- 1M
- 0.62%
- YTD
- 0.47%
- 6M
- 0.32%
- 1Y
- 5.87%
- 3Y*
- 5.09%
- 5Y*
- 0.34%
- 10Y*
- —
VTC vs. SUSC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTC Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF | 0.60% | 7.58% | 2.15% | 8.58% | -15.68% | -1.41% | 9.30% | 14.60% | -2.55% | 0.84% |
SUSC iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF | 0.47% | 7.57% | 1.91% | 8.58% | -15.95% | -1.57% | 9.57% | 14.43% | -3.13% | 0.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTC and SUSC is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2017 | 0.93 |
The correlation between VTC and SUSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VTC vs. SUSC — Risk / Return Rank
VTC
SUSC
VTC vs. SUSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC) and iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSC). 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 | SUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.23 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.09 | 2.05 | +0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.63 | 6.37 | +0.26 |
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
| VTC | SUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.38 | 1.34 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 | 0.05 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.32 | 0.30 | +0.02 |
Drawdowns
VTC vs. SUSC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTC drawdown since its inception was -22.05%, roughly equal to the maximum SUSC drawdown of -22.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTC and SUSC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTC | SUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.05% | -22.42% | +0.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.88% | -2.87% | -0.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.46% | -6.57% | +0.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.05% | -22.42% | +0.37% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.99% | -1.36% | +0.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.84% | -5.89% | +0.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.90% | 0.92% | -0.02% |
Volatility
VTC vs. SUSC - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC) and iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (SUSC) have volatilities of 1.43% and 1.40%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VTC | SUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.43% | 1.40% | +0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.22% | 3.21% | +0.01% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.37% | 4.39% | -0.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.08% | 7.19% | -0.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.68% | 7.63% | +0.05% |
VTC vs. SUSC - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTC has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than SUSC's 0.18% 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
VTC vs. SUSC - Dividend Comparison
VTC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.93%, more than SUSC's 4.49% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SUSC iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF | 4.49% | 4.37% | 4.34% | 3.83% | 2.97% | 2.21% | 2.19% | 3.07% | 3.33% | 1.33% |
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
With a correlation of 0.99, VTC and SUSC 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.
VTC has higher volatility (1.43%) compared to SUSC (1.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTC dropped -22.05% vs SUSC's -22.42%.
On 5-year performance, VTC leads with 0.51% vs 0.34% for SUSC. On fees, VTC is cheaper at 0.04% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VTC has performed better with a 0.51% return vs 0.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTC is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for SUSC.
VTC has the higher dividend yield at 4.93%, compared with 4.49% for SUSC.
VTC tracks Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index, while SUSC tracks Bloomberg MSCI US Corporate ESG Focus Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VTC and 0.18% for SUSC.
VTC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 1.34), 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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