VCIT: Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds on bonds issued by companies (investment grade and high yield), emerging market governments and US municipalities.
Data updated October 2026
VCIT · US exchange · USDCategory: Corporate, high yield and municipal bond ETFsData from November 2009
From November 2009 to October 2026 VCIT returned 4.1% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $19,654.
Its deepest fall was 20.6%, from August 2021 to October 2022, and it took about 48 months to get back to the previous high. Annual volatility was 5.7%; at the last close it was 4.0% below its high.
Against AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF), over the 203 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.90: they usually moved together. Beta was 1.22. In months when AGG rose, VCIT moved 135% as much on average; in months when AGG fell, 113% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +4.1%
- 1-year return
- −2.3%
- 5 years, a year
- +0.8%
- 10 years, a year
- +2.4%
- Annual volatility
- 5.7%
- Maximum drawdown
- −20.6%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.49
- Worst year
- 2022: −14.0%
Trailing returns
| Period | VCIT | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | −2.3% | −1.9% |
| 3 years, a year | +6.8% | +5.2% |
| 5 years, a year | +0.8% | −0.3% |
| 10 years, a year | +2.4% | +1.2% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: VCIT vs AGG
Month-end values from December 2009, the first month both funds have data.
VCIT drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VCIT | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | −2.4% | −1.8% |
| 2025 | +9.3% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +3.2% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +9.0% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −14.0% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −1.8% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +9.5% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −1.7% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +5.3% | +3.5% |
| 2016 | +5.3% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | +0.9% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | +7.9% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | −1.9% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +11.1% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | +9.0% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +10.0% | +6.4% |
| 2009(partial) | +0.2% | — |
VCIT compared
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of VCIT?
From November 2009 to October 2026 VCIT returned 4.1% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: +0.8% a year. Over the last 12 months: −2.3%.
What was the worst drawdown of VCIT?
20.6%, from August 2021 to October 2022; it took about 48 months from the previous high to get back to it.
How volatile is VCIT?
Annual volatility was 5.7% over the period. Its worst month was −7.3% and 64% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2022 (−14.0%).
How closely does VCIT follow AGG?
Over 203 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.90, so they usually moved together, with a beta of 1.22.
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Other Corporate, high yield and municipal bond ETFs
- All Corporate, high yield and municipal bond ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- LQD — iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETFCAGR +3.9%
- HYG — iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETFCAGR +4.8%
- JNK — SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETFCAGR +15.1%
- EMB — iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETFCAGR +4.4%
- MUB — iShares National Muni Bond ETFCAGR +2.9%
- VCSH — Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETFCAGR +2.8%
- IEAC — iShares Core € Corp Bond UCITS ETF (Dist)CAGR +0.2%
- IHYG — iShares € High Yield Corp Bond UCITS ETF (Dist)CAGR −0.6%
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.