BND vs VCSH
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF vs Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF
Which is better, BND or VCSH?
Intermediate Term Bond against Short Term Bond.
VCSH led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BND | VCSH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $160.9B | $52.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.04% | 4.47% |
| Holdings | 17,437 | 3,023 |
| YTD Return | -1.23% | +0.31%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.42% | +1.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.09% | +5.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.57% | +2.19%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5% | 2.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.6% | -12.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,718 | $11,144Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Intermediate Term Bond | Short Term Bond |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Nov 19, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 23, 2009 to Sep 18, 2026 (16.8 years).
BND vs VCSH growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16.8 years both funds cover.
BND vs VCSH Performance
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BND returned -0.42% while VCSH returned +1.58%. Year to date, BND is down 1.23% versus a gain of 0.31% for VCSH.
Over three years, BND compounded at +4.09% per year against +5.35% for VCSH; over five years the annualized figures are -0.57% and +2.19% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VCSH has the edge at +1.25% annualized vs +0.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BND has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.5% compared with 2.6% for VCSH. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -19.6% for BND and -12.9% for VCSH. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BND charges 0.03% per year while VCSH charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BND currently yields 4.04% against 4.47% for VCSH.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 16 holdings in BND and 1,545 in VCSH, totalling 1.5% and 62.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 3 positions appear in both.
3 positions in common, counted across the 16 positions we hold weights for in BND and 1,545 in VCSH, against full books of 17,437 and 3,023.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BND and VCSH you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BND or VCSH?
BND has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VCSH charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BND or VCSH?
Over the past year BND returned -0.42% vs +1.58% for VCSH, so VCSH leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), BND annualized +0.38% vs +1.25% for VCSH. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BND or VCSH?
BND has been the more volatile fund at 4.5% annualized versus 2.6% for VCSH. Worst drawdown: BND -19.6% vs VCSH -12.9%.
Should I hold both BND and VCSH?
BND and VCSH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BND or VCSH?
BND yields 4.04% while VCSH yields 4.47%, so VCSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VCSH better than BND?
VCSH led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.