BSV vs VCSH
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF
Which is better, BSV or VCSH?
VCSH has been ahead.
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 | BSV | VCSH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $45.6B | $52.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 4.47% |
| Holdings | 3,205 | 3,023 |
| YTD Return | -0.02% | +0.41%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.15% | +1.69%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.29% | +5.38%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.48% | +2.20%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.0%Best | 2.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.0%Best | -12.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,762 | $11,149Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Short 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 21, 2026 (16.8 years).
BSV 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.
BSV vs VCSH Performance
Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BSV returned +1.15% while VCSH returned +1.69%. Year to date, BSV is down 0.02% versus a gain of 0.41% for VCSH.
Over three years, BSV compounded at +4.29% per year against +5.38% for VCSH; over five years the annualized figures are +1.48% and +2.20% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VCSH has the edge at +1.26% annualized vs +0.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VCSH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 2.6% 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 -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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSV charges 0.03% per year while VCSH charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BSV currently yields 4.01% against 4.47% for VCSH.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,013 holdings in BSV and 1,545 in VCSH, totalling 63.3% 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, 517 positions appear in both.
517 positions in common, counted across the 1,013 positions we hold weights for in BSV and 1,545 in VCSH, against full books of 3,205 and 3,023.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BSV | Weight in VCSH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.70% | 0.78% | 0.08% |
| BAC V3.419 12/20/28Bank Of America Corp 3.419 12/20/2028 | 0.03% | 0.24% | 0.21% |
| ABBV 3.2 11/21/29Abbvie Inc 3.2 11/21/2029 | 0.06% | 0.21% | 0.15% |
| CVS 4.3 03/25/28Cvs Health Corp 4.3 03/25/2028 | 0.04% | 0.20% | 0.16% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa, Inc. 3.875% 15-Apr-2030 | 0.05% | 0.19% | 0.14% |
| BA 5.15 05/01/30The Boeing Co 5.150 May 01 30 | 0.04% | 0.19% | 0.15% |
| PFE 4.45 05/19/28Pfizer Investment Enterprises Pte Ltd Corp. Note | 0.05% | 0.18% | 0.13% |
| WFC V5.574 07/25/29 | 0.05% | 0.18% | 0.13% |
| AER 3 10/29/28Aercap Ireland Capital Dac / Aercap Global Aviatio 3.000000% 10/29/2028 | 0.06% | 0.16% | 0.10% |
| AMGN 5.15 03/02/28Amgen Inc 5.15 03/02/2028 | 0.04% | 0.17% | 0.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSV 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, BSV or VCSH?
BSV 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, BSV or VCSH?
Over the past year BSV returned +1.15% vs +1.69% for VCSH, so VCSH leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), BSV annualized +0.61% vs +1.26% for VCSH. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSV or VCSH?
VCSH has been the more volatile fund at 2.6% annualized versus 2.0% for BSV. Worst drawdown: BSV -9.0% vs VCSH -12.9%.
Should I hold both BSV and VCSH?
BSV and VCSH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 VCSH?
BSV yields 4.01% while VCSH yields 4.47%, so VCSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VCSH better than BSV?
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.