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VTEAX vs. VGCAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

VTEAX vs. VGCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX) and Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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VTEAX vs. VGCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
VTEAX
Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares
-0.24%3.67%1.63%6.39%-8.21%1.43%4.97%7.45%1.95%
VGCAX
Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares
-0.47%7.30%3.99%9.22%-13.43%-0.64%10.81%13.05%0.96%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTEAX achieves a -0.24% return, which is significantly higher than VGCAX's -0.47% return.


VTEAX

1D
0.25%
1M
-1.97%
YTD
-0.24%
6M
1.20%
1Y
3.73%
3Y*
2.86%
5Y*
0.89%
10Y*
2.09%

VGCAX

1D
0.37%
1M
-1.74%
YTD
-0.47%
6M
0.34%
1Y
4.73%
3Y*
5.55%
5Y*
1.37%
10Y*
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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VTEAX vs. VGCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTEAX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VGCAX's 0.25% 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%.


Return for Risk

VTEAX vs. VGCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTEAX
VTEAX Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
VTEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4646
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3636
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VTEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3434
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 2929
Martin Ratio Rank

VGCAX
VGCAX Risk / Return Rank: 7272
Overall Rank
VGCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7777
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
VGCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7272
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VTEAX vs. VGCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX) and Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX). 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.


VTEAXVGCAXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.95

1.42

-0.47

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.24

2.00

-0.76

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.26

+0.01

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

0.97

1.75

-0.78

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

3.22

6.84

-3.63

VTEAX vs. VGCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTEAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the VGCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTEAX and VGCAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.


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Sharpe Ratios by Period


VTEAXVGCAXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.95

1.42

-0.47

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.25

0.27

-0.02

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.57

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.66

0.79

-0.13

Correlation

The correlation between VTEAX and VGCAX is 0.53, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.


Dividends

VTEAX vs. VGCAX - Dividend Comparison

VTEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.05%, less than VGCAX's 3.88% yield.


TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VTEAX
Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares
3.05%3.26%3.36%2.98%2.05%1.60%1.97%2.27%2.24%1.95%1.67%0.59%
VGCAX
Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares
3.88%4.91%4.65%4.48%2.72%3.16%4.65%6.88%0.36%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Drawdowns

VTEAX vs. VGCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTEAX drawdown since its inception was -12.75%, smaller than the maximum VGCAX drawdown of -18.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTEAX and VGCAX.


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Drawdown Indicators


VTEAXVGCAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-12.75%

-18.63%

+5.88%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-4.50%

-2.90%

-1.60%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-12.75%

-18.63%

+5.88%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-12.75%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.21%

-2.19%

-0.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.28%

-4.42%

+2.14%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.36%

0.74%

+0.62%

Volatility

VTEAX vs. VGCAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTEAX) is 1.15%, while Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX) has a volatility of 1.57%. This indicates that VTEAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


VTEAXVGCAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.15%

1.57%

-0.42%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.48%

2.24%

-0.76%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.36%

3.50%

+0.86%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

3.57%

5.04%

-1.47%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

3.65%

4.86%

-1.21%