VCSH vs VT
Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total World Stock ETF
Which is better, VCSH or VT?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VCSH has a lower expense ratio. VT 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 | VT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.06% |
| AUM | $52.0B | $97.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.47% | 1.55% |
| Holdings | 3,023 | 10,133 |
| YTD Return | +0.31% | +12.24%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.58% | +17.11%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.35% | +20.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.19% | +11.20%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.6%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.9%Best | -34.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,144 | $17,003Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2009 | Jun 24, 2008 |
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 18, 2026 (16.8 years).
VCSH vs VT 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 VT Performance
Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VCSH returned +1.58% while VT returned +17.11%. Year to date, VCSH is up 0.31% versus a gain of 12.24% for VT.
Over three years, VCSH compounded at +5.35% per year against +20.23% for VT; over five years the annualized figures are +2.19% and +11.20% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VT has the edge at +8.65% annualized vs +1.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% 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 -34.5% for VT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VCSH charges 0.03% per year while VT 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 1.55% for VT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,545 holdings in VCSH and 9,272 in VT, totalling 62.8% and 90.1% 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, 18 positions appear in both.
18 positions in common, counted across the 1,545 positions we hold weights for in VCSH and 9,272 in VT, against full books of 3,023 and 10,133.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VCSH | Weight in VT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.09% | 3.84% | 3.75% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 0.03% | 0.31% | 0.28% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa, Inc. 3.875% 15-Apr-2030 | 0.19% | 0.07% | 0.12% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.02% | 0.22% | 0.20% |
| SAN:MABanco Santander, S.A Sponsored Adr - Sponsored (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.06% | 0.18% | 0.12% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.05% | 0.16% | 0.11% |
| DEDeere & Co Sedol 2261203 | 0.04% | 0.13% | 0.09% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 0.04% | 0.10% | 0.06% |
| BARC:LNBarclays Plc | 0.03% | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 0.03% | 0.07% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VCSH and VT 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 VT?
VCSH has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VT charges 0.06%. VCSH is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VCSH or VT?
Over the past year VCSH returned +1.58% vs +17.11% for VT, so VT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VCSH annualized +1.25% vs +8.65% for VT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VCSH or VT?
VT has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 2.6% for VCSH. Worst drawdown: VCSH -12.9% vs VT -34.5%.
Should I hold both VCSH and VT?
VCSH and VT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, VCSH or VT?
VCSH yields 4.47% while VT yields 1.55%, so VCSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VT better than VCSH?
VCSH has a lower expense ratio. VT 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.