VWETX vs. VCPAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VWETX (Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares) and VCPAX (Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both Total Bond Market funds from Vanguard. Over the past 3 years, VWETX returned 3.30%/yr vs 5.35%/yr for VCPAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VWETX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VCPAX.

Performance

VWETX vs. VCPAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VWETX) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWETX achieves a 0.46% return, which is significantly lower than VCPAX's 0.54% return.

VWETX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 0.46%
• 6M: -0.16%
• 1Y: 6.09%
• 3Y*: 3.30%
• 5Y*: -2.37%
• 10Y*: 1.67%

VCPAX

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 6M: 0.72%
• 1Y: 5.28%
• 3Y*: 5.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VWETX vs. VCPAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VWETX Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	0.46%	7.31%	-2.70%	8.92%	-25.54%	0.67%
VCPAX Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares	0.54%	8.06%	2.95%	6.80%	-12.60%	0.32%

Correlation

The correlation between VWETX and VCPAX 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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 15, 2021	0.93

The correlation between VWETX and VCPAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VWETX vs. VCPAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWETX

VWETX Risk / Return Rank: 13
VWETX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
VWETX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
VWETX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
VWETX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
VWETX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

VCPAX

VCPAX Risk / Return Rank: 34
VCPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
VCPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VCPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VCPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VCPAX 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.

VWETX vs. VCPAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VWETX) and Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX). 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.

	VWETX	VCPAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	1.67	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	2.52	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.31	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	2.26	-0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.69	7.18	-3.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWETX vs. VCPAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWETX Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is lower than the VCPAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWETX and VCPAX, 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

	VWETX	VCPAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94	1.67	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.20	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.18	+0.31

Drawdowns

VWETX vs. VCPAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWETX drawdown since its inception was -36.04%, which is greater than VCPAX's maximum drawdown of -17.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWETX and VCPAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWETX	VCPAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.04%	-17.25%	-18.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.12%	-2.65%	-2.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.33%	-5.71%	-7.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.42%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.04%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.87%	-1.26%	-17.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.20%	-6.45%	-0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	0.83%	+1.18%

Volatility

VWETX vs. VCPAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares (VWETX) has a higher volatility of 2.50% compared to Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VCPAX) at 1.29%. This indicates that VWETX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCPAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWETX	VCPAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.50%	1.29%	+1.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.54%	2.58%	+2.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.86%	3.59%	+4.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.10%	5.64%	+6.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.86%	5.64%	+5.22%

VWETX vs. VCPAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWETX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than VCPAX's 0.20% 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

VWETX vs. VCPAX - Dividend Comparison

VWETX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.19%, more than VCPAX's 4.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCPAX Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Fund Admiral Shares	4.85%	4.86%	5.19%	4.55%	3.26%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VWETX Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund Admiral Shares	5.19%	5.06%	5.10%	4.26%	4.54%	4.86%	6.99%	5.11%	4.40%	5.60%	6.25%	7.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWETX and VCPAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VWETX and VCPAX 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, VWETX or VCPAX?

VWETX has higher volatility (2.50%) compared to VCPAX (1.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWETX dropped -36.04% vs VCPAX's -17.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 0.94), 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.