VCIT vs LQD: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF against iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 23, 2009 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VCIT beat LQD?
Yes — measured from Nov 23, 2009 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VCIT came out ahead: $19,854 versus $18,625 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 4.2% annual return against 3.8%.
What would $10,000 in VCIT be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) on Nov 23, 2009 would be worth about $19,854 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 98.5% (4.2% per year). The same $10,000 in LQD would be worth $18,625.
Which was riskier — VCIT or LQD?
VCIT swung with an annualized volatility of 5.7% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -20.6%; LQD ran at 7.6% volatility with a -25.0% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.39 for VCIT vs 0.24 for LQD.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 23, 2009 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with VCIT vs LQD. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.