VCIT vs VONG
Vanguard Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF
Which is better, VCIT or VONG?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Growth.
VCIT has a lower expense ratio. VONG 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 | VCIT | VONG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $69.8B | $51.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.89% | 0.46% |
| Holdings | 2,271 | 373 |
| YTD Return | -1.44% | +7.39%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.37% | +7.38%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | +24.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.52% | +13.19%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.0%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.7%Best | -32.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,263 | $18,580Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2009 | Sep 20, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 21, 2026 (16 years).
VCIT vs VONG 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VCIT vs VONG Performance
Vanguard Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VCIT returned -0.37% while VONG returned +7.38%. Year to date, VCIT is down 1.44% versus a gain of 7.39% for VONG.
Over three years, VCIT compounded at +6.06% per year against +24.42% for VONG; over five years the annualized figures are +0.52% and +13.19% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VONG has the edge at +15.77% annualized vs +1.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VONG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 6.0% for VCIT. 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 -20.7% for VCIT and -32.7% for VONG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VCIT charges 0.03% per year while VONG charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $6 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VCIT currently yields 4.89% against 0.46% for VONG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.2% of VONG's money is in holdings VCIT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VCIT, our book for it covers 61.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VONG and VCIT share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 1,364 positions we hold weights for in VCIT and 371 in VONG, against full books of 2,271 and 373.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VCIT and VONG 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, VCIT or VONG?
VCIT has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VONG charges 0.06%. VCIT is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VCIT or VONG?
Over the past year VCIT returned -0.37% vs +7.38% for VONG, so VONG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VCIT annualized +1.25% vs +15.77% for VONG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VCIT or VONG?
VONG has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 6.0% for VCIT. Worst drawdown: VCIT -20.7% vs VONG -32.7%.
Should I hold both VCIT and VONG?
VCIT and VONG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VCIT and VONG?
At least 1.2% of VONG's money is in holdings VCIT also owns. Our book for VCIT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 1,364 positions we hold weights for in VCIT and 371 in VONG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VCIT or VONG?
VCIT yields 4.89% while VONG yields 0.46%, so VCIT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VONG better than VCIT?
VCIT has a lower expense ratio. VONG 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.