VCSH vs VGK
Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF
Which is better, VCSH or VGK?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VCSH has a lower expense ratio. VGK 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 | VCSH | VGK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $52.0B | $38.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.47% | 2.81% |
| Holdings | 3,023 | 1,240 |
| YTD Return | -0.02% | +5.99%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.23% | +13.93%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.28% | +18.28%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.14% | +8.54%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.6%Best | 17.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.9%Best | -41.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,117 | $15,064Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2009 | Mar 4, 2005 |
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 23, 2026 (16.8 years).
VCSH vs VGK 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.
VCSH vs VGK Performance
Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VCSH returned +1.23% while VGK returned +13.93%. Year to date, VCSH is down 0.02% versus a gain of 5.99% for VGK.
Over three years, VCSH compounded at +5.28% per year against +18.28% for VGK; over five years the annualized figures are +2.14% and +8.54% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VGK has the edge at +4.30% annualized vs +1.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% 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 -12.9% for VCSH and -41.6% for VGK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VCSH charges 0.03% per year while VGK 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, VCSH currently yields 4.47% against 2.81% for VGK.
Holdings Overlap
At least 4.8% of VGK's money is in holdings VCSH also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VCSH, our book for it covers 62.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VGK and VCSH share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 1,545 positions we hold weights for in VCSH and 1,101 in VGK, against full books of 3,023 and 1,240.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VCSH and VGK 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, VCSH or VGK?
VCSH has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VGK charges 0.06%. VCSH is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VCSH or VGK?
Over the past year VCSH returned +1.23% vs +13.93% for VGK, so VGK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VCSH annualized +1.23% vs +4.30% for VGK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VCSH or VGK?
VGK has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 2.6% for VCSH. Worst drawdown: VCSH -12.9% vs VGK -41.6%.
Should I hold both VCSH and VGK?
VCSH and VGK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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 VCSH and VGK?
At least 4.8% of VGK's money is in holdings VCSH also owns. Our book for VCSH is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 1,545 positions we hold weights for in VCSH and 1,101 in VGK.
Which pays a higher dividend, VCSH or VGK?
VCSH yields 4.47% while VGK yields 2.81%, so VCSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGK better than VCSH?
VCSH has a lower expense ratio. VGK 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.