BSV vs VCIT
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF
Which is better, BSV or VCIT?
Short Term Bond against Long Term Mid Quality.
BSV led over 1Y and 5Y, VCIT over 3Y 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 | BSV | VCIT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $45.6B | $69.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 4.89% |
| Holdings | 3,205 | 2,271 |
| YTD Return | +0.07%Best | -1.36% |
| 1Y Return | +1.14%Best | -0.55% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.28% | +5.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.51%Best | +0.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.0%Best | 5.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.0%Best | -20.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,778Best | $10,299 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Long Term Mid Quality |
| 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 17, 2026 (16.8 years).
BSV vs VCIT 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.
BSV vs VCIT Performance
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BSV returned +1.14% while VCIT returned -0.55%. Year to date, BSV is up 0.07% versus a loss of 1.36% for VCIT.
Over three years, BSV compounded at +4.28% per year against +5.89% for VCIT; over five years the annualized figures are +1.51% and +0.59% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VCIT has the edge at +1.68% annualized vs +0.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VCIT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.9% compared with 2.0% for BSV. 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 -9.0% for BSV and -20.7% for VCIT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSV charges 0.03% per year while VCIT charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BSV currently yields 4.01% against 4.89% for VCIT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,013 holdings in BSV and 1,364 in VCIT, totalling 63.3% and 61.8% 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, 10 positions appear in both.
10 positions in common, counted across the 1,013 positions we hold weights for in BSV and 1,364 in VCIT, against full books of 3,205 and 2,271.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BSV | Weight in VCIT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.70% | 0.22% | 0.48% |
| JPM V2.545 11/08/32Jpmorgan Chase & Co 2.545 11/08/2032 | 0.03% | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| NOMURA 2.608 07/14/3Nomura Holdings Inc 2.61% 14Jul2031 | 0.01% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| BAC V3.419 12/20/28Bank Of America Corp 3.419 12/20/2028 | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| GSK 3.875 05/15/28Glaxosmithkline Capital Inc 3.875% 05/15/2028 | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| ESGR 4.95 06/01/29Enstar Group Ltd 4.950000 06/01/2029 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| ARE 3.95 01/15/28Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| KIM 1.9 03/01/28Kimco Realty Corp 1.9% 03/01/2028 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| TOYOTA 3.65 01/08/29Toyota Motor Credit Corp | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| ARE 2.75 12/15/29Alexandria Real 2.75 2029-12-15 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSV and VCIT 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, BSV or VCIT?
BSV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VCIT charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BSV or VCIT?
Over the past year BSV returned +1.14% vs -0.55% for VCIT, so BSV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), BSV annualized +0.62% vs +1.68% for VCIT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSV or VCIT?
VCIT has been the more volatile fund at 5.9% annualized versus 2.0% for BSV. Worst drawdown: BSV -9.0% vs VCIT -20.7%.
Should I hold both BSV and VCIT?
BSV and VCIT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, BSV or VCIT?
BSV yields 4.01% while VCIT yields 4.89%, so VCIT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VCIT better than BSV?
BSV led over 1Y and 5Y, VCIT over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.