VCSH vs VUG
Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
Which is better, VCSH or VUG?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Growth.
VUG 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 | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $52.0B | $219.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.47% | 0.38% |
| Holdings | 3,023 | 146 |
| YTD Return | +0.41% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.69% | +13.30%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.38% | +26.66%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.20% | +13.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.6%Best | 16.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.9%Best | -35.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,149 | $18,844Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| 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 21, 2026 (16.8 years).
VCSH vs VUG 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 VUG Performance
Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VCSH returned +1.69% while VUG returned +13.30%. Year to date, VCSH is up 0.41% versus a gain of 12.57% for VUG.
Over three years, VCSH compounded at +5.38% per year against +26.66% for VUG; over five years the annualized figures are +2.20% and +13.51% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VUG has the edge at +15.21% annualized vs +1.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.8% 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 -35.6% for VUG. 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
VCSH charges 0.03% per year while VUG charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, VCSH currently yields 4.47% against 0.38% for VUG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 13.4% of VUG'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.
VUG and VCSH share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 1,545 positions we hold weights for in VCSH and 147 in VUG, against full books of 3,023 and 146.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VCSH and VUG 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 VUG?
VCSH has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VUG charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VCSH or VUG?
Over the past year VCSH returned +1.69% vs +13.30% for VUG, so VUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VCSH annualized +1.26% vs +15.21% for VUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VCSH or VUG?
VUG has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 2.6% for VCSH. Worst drawdown: VCSH -12.9% vs VUG -35.6%.
Should I hold both VCSH and VUG?
VCSH and VUG 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 VCSH and VUG?
At least 13.4% of VUG's money is in holdings VCSH also owns. Our book for VCSH is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 1,545 positions we hold weights for in VCSH and 147 in VUG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VCSH or VUG?
VCSH yields 4.47% while VUG yields 0.38%, so VCSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUG better than VCSH?
VUG 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.