VCSH vs VO
Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF
Which is better, VCSH or VO?
Short Term Bond against Mid Cap Blend.
VO 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 | VO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $52.0B | $106.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.47% | 1.30% |
| Holdings | 3,023 | 289 |
| YTD Return | +0.43% | +10.77%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.71% | +11.79%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.44% | +17.11%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.22% | +7.45%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.6%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.9%Best | -39.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,160 | $14,323Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2009 | Jan 26, 2004 |
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 22, 2026 (16.8 years).
VCSH vs VO 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.
VCSH vs VO Performance
Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (VO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VCSH returned +1.71% while VO returned +11.79%. Year to date, VCSH is up 0.43% versus a gain of 10.77% for VO.
Over three years, VCSH compounded at +5.44% per year against +17.11% for VO; over five years the annualized figures are +2.22% and +7.45% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VO has the edge at +11.31% annualized vs +1.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% 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 -39.7% for VO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VCSH charges 0.03% per year while VO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VCSH currently yields 4.47% against 1.30% for VO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.6% of VO'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.
VO and VCSH share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 1,545 positions we hold weights for in VCSH and 283 in VO, against full books of 3,023 and 289.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VCSH and VO 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 VO?
VCSH has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VO charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VCSH or VO?
Over the past year VCSH returned +1.71% vs +11.79% for VO, so VO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VCSH annualized +1.26% vs +11.31% for VO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VCSH or VO?
VO has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 2.6% for VCSH. Worst drawdown: VCSH -12.9% vs VO -39.7%.
Should I hold both VCSH and VO?
VCSH and VO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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 VO?
At least 1.6% of VO'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 283 in VO.
Which pays a higher dividend, VCSH or VO?
VCSH yields 4.47% while VO yields 1.30%, so VCSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VO better than VCSH?
VO 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.