VCLT vs VTI
Vanguard Long Term Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VCLT or VTI?
Long Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI 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 | VCLT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $9.7B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.66% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 2,856 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -2.86% | +11.06%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.48% | +15.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.73% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.15% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.7%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,521 | $17,249Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2009 | May 24, 2001 |
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 16, 2026 (16.8 years).
VCLT vs VTI 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.
VCLT vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Long Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VCLT returned -4.48% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, VCLT is down 2.86% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, VCLT compounded at +4.73% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -3.15% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.46% annualized vs +1.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 10.7% for VCLT. 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 -35.1% for VCLT and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.41. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VCLT charges 0.03% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VCLT currently yields 5.66% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 12.7% of VTI's money is in holdings VCLT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VCLT, our book for it covers 71.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VTI and VCLT share little of their money.
22 positions in common, counted across the 1,645 positions we hold weights for in VCLT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 2,856 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VCLT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.06% | 6.29% | 6.23% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.06% | 3.65% | 3.59% |
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.51% | 0.00% | 0.51% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp 3.125 06/15/2060 | 0.00% | 0.51% | 0.51% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.02% | 0.35% | 0.33% |
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 0.06% | 0.31% | 0.25% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 0.09% | 0.24% | 0.15% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.05% | 0.26% | 0.21% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 0.08% | 0.21% | 0.13% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 0.07% | 0.16% | 0.09% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VCLT and VTI 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, VCLT or VTI?
VCLT has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTI charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VCLT or VTI?
Over the past year VCLT returned -4.48% vs +15.41% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VCLT annualized +1.37% vs +12.46% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VCLT or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 10.7% for VCLT. Worst drawdown: VCLT -35.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both VCLT and VTI?
VCLT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.41, 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 VCLT and VTI?
At least 12.7% of VTI's money is in holdings VCLT also owns. Our book for VCLT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 1,645 positions we hold weights for in VCLT and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VCLT or VTI?
VCLT yields 5.66% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VCLT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VCLT?
VTI 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.