VCSH vs VXF
Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard Extended Market ETF
Which is better, VCSH or VXF?
Short Term Bond against Mid Cap Blend.
VCSH has a lower expense ratio. VXF 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 | VXF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.05% |
| AUM | $52.0B | $30.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.47% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 3,023 | 3,385 |
| YTD Return | +0.45% | +12.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.78% | +15.03%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.35% | +17.90%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.21% | +6.02%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.6%Best | 18.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.9%Best | -41.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,155 | $13,395Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2009 | Dec 27, 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 10, 2026 (16.8 years).
VCSH vs VXF 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 VXF Performance
Vanguard Short Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VCSH returned +1.78% while VXF returned +15.03%. Year to date, VCSH is up 0.45% versus a gain of 12.21% for VXF.
Over three years, VCSH compounded at +5.35% per year against +17.90% for VXF; over five years the annualized figures are +2.21% and +6.02% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VXF has the edge at +11.38% annualized vs +1.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% 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 -41.7% for VXF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VCSH charges 0.03% per year while VXF charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VCSH currently yields 4.47% against 1.01% for VXF.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 557 holdings in VCSH and 3,295 in VXF, totalling 20.6% and 94.2% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VCSH and 3,295 in VXF, against full books of 3,023 and 3,385.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VCSH | Weight in VXF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMTGatx Corp. 4 6/30/2030 | 0.02% | 0.07% | 0.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VCSH and VXF 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 VXF?
VCSH has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VXF charges 0.05%. VCSH is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VCSH or VXF?
Over the past year VCSH returned +1.78% vs +15.03% for VXF, so VXF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VCSH annualized +1.26% vs +11.38% for VXF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VCSH or VXF?
VXF has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 2.6% for VCSH. Worst drawdown: VCSH -12.9% vs VXF -41.7%.
Should I hold both VCSH and VXF?
VCSH and VXF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, 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 VXF?
VCSH yields 4.47% while VXF yields 1.01%, so VCSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXF better than VCSH?
VCSH has a lower expense ratio. VXF 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.