VXUS vs. VCLT
VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) and VCLT (Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VCLT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXUS returned 10.12%/yr vs 2.26%/yr for VCLT. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VXUS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VCLT.
Performance
VXUS vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VXUS achieves a 14.31% return, which is significantly higher than VCLT's 1.37% return. Over the past 10 years, VXUS has outperformed VCLT with an annualized return of 10.12%, while VCLT has yielded a comparatively lower 2.26% annualized return.
VXUS
- 1D
- -0.55%
- 1M
- 3.14%
- YTD
- 14.31%
- 6M
- 17.16%
- 1Y
- 31.59%
- 3Y*
- 18.16%
- 5Y*
- 9.07%
- 10Y*
- 10.12%
VCLT
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- 2.66%
- YTD
- 1.37%
- 6M
- 1.50%
- 1Y
- 6.63%
- 3Y*
- 4.12%
- 5Y*
- -2.36%
- 10Y*
- 2.26%
VXUS vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 14.31% | 32.35% | 5.08% | 15.86% | -16.08% | 8.98% | 10.66% | 21.75% | -14.43% | 27.46% |
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 1.37% | 7.18% | -1.90% | 11.17% | -25.50% | -1.73% | 13.27% | 23.89% | -7.04% | 11.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between VXUS and VCLT is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011 | 0.06 |
Over the past year, VXUS and VCLT have become more correlated (0.48) than their long-term average of 0.06, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VXUS vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank
VXUS
VCLT
VXUS vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VXUS | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.15 | +0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.82 | 1.27 | +1.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.84 | 3.07 | +7.77 |
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Drawdowns
VXUS vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, roughly equal to the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and VCLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VXUS | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.97% | -34.31% | -1.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.27% | -5.25% | -6.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.58% | -13.03% | -0.55% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.44% | -34.31% | +4.87% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.97% | -34.31% | -1.66% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.95% | -14.04% | +13.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.20% | -8.17% | -0.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.92% | 2.16% | +0.76% |
Volatility
VXUS vs. VCLT - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a higher volatility of 6.47% compared to Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) at 2.21%. This indicates that VXUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VXUS | VCLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.47% | 2.21% | +4.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.09% | 5.83% | +8.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.09% | 7.83% | +8.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.22% | 12.77% | +3.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.20% | 12.85% | +4.35% |
VXUS vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VXUS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLT's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VXUS vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison
VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, less than VCLT's 5.52% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCLT Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 5.52% | 5.51% | 5.19% | 4.67% | 4.44% | 3.07% | 3.16% | 3.81% | 4.55% | 4.01% | 4.33% | 4.68% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 2.66% | 3.18% | 3.37% | 3.24% | 3.09% | 3.10% | 2.14% | 3.06% | 3.18% | 2.73% | 2.93% | 2.83% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VXUS and VCLT have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VXUS has higher volatility (6.47%) compared to VCLT (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXUS dropped -35.97% vs VCLT's -34.31%.
On 10-year performance, VXUS leads with 10.12% vs 2.26% for VCLT. On fees, VCLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VCLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VXUS has performed better with a 10.12% return vs 2.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCLT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for VXUS.
VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.52%, compared with 2.66% for VXUS.
VXUS is categorized as Global Equities, while VCLT is Corporate Bonds. VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VCLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 10+ Year Corporate Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VXUS and 0.03% for VCLT.
VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 0.85), 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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