VTEB vs. VCADX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VTEB (Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and VCADX (Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTEB returned 2.10%/yr vs 2.34%/yr for VCADX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTEB charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VCADX.

Performance

VTEB vs. VCADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) and Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VCADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTEB achieves a 1.52% return, which is significantly higher than VCADX's 1.07% return. Over the past 10 years, VTEB has underperformed VCADX with an annualized return of 2.10%, while VCADX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.34% annualized return.

VTEB

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 1.52%
• 6M: 1.95%
• 1Y: 7.14%
• 3Y*: 3.59%
• 5Y*: 0.93%
• 10Y*: 2.10%

VCADX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 1.07%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 6.73%
• 3Y*: 4.45%
• 5Y*: 1.68%
• 10Y*: 2.34%

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

VTEB vs. VCADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.52%	3.72%	1.31%	6.15%	-7.99%	1.14%	5.19%	7.35%	1.04%	4.87%
VCADX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	1.07%	5.90%	2.24%	5.91%	-6.61%	0.46%	4.62%	7.04%	1.28%	4.94%

Correlation

The correlation between VTEB and VCADX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 26, 2015	0.68

The correlation between VTEB and VCADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTEB vs. VCADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTEB

VTEB Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTEB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VTEB Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VTEB Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VTEB Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VTEB Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VCADX

VCADX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VCADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
VCADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VCADX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VCADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
VCADX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

VTEB vs. VCADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) and Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VCADX). 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.

	VTEB	VCADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	2.89	-0.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	4.45	-0.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.75	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	2.29	+0.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.21	7.53	+1.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTEB vs. VCADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTEB Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is comparable to the VCADX Sharpe Ratio of 2.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTEB and VCADX, 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

	VTEB	VCADX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.64	2.89	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	0.52	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.69	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	1.10	-0.62

Drawdowns

VTEB vs. VCADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTEB drawdown since its inception was -17.00%, which is greater than VCADX's maximum drawdown of -11.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTEB and VCADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTEB	VCADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.00%	-11.13%	-5.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.71%	-2.98%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.53%	-4.23%	-1.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.64%	-11.13%	-1.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.00%	-11.13%	-5.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-1.08%	+0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.33%	-1.50%	-0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	0.91%	-0.15%

Volatility

VTEB vs. VCADX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) and Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VCADX) have volatilities of 0.90% and 0.87%, 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

	VTEB	VCADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.90%	0.87%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.03%	1.81%	+0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.72%	2.28%	+0.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.90%	3.25%	+0.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.26%	3.43%	+1.83%

VTEB vs. VCADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTEB has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VCADX's 0.09% 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

VTEB vs. VCADX - Dividend Comparison

VTEB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.35%, more than VCADX's 3.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCADX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	3.14%	3.82%	3.35%	2.57%	2.36%	1.77%	2.28%	2.72%	2.71%	2.66%	2.76%	2.86%
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.35%	3.29%	3.14%	2.79%	2.09%	1.64%	1.99%	2.30%	2.25%	1.96%	1.66%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTEB and VCADX in my portfolio?

VTEB and VCADX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTEB or VCADX?

VTEB has higher volatility (0.90%) compared to VCADX (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTEB dropped -17.00% vs VCADX's -11.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 2.64), 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.