Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) Analysis

For informational purposes only. Not financial advice.

Quick Answer

Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has a last stored price of $68.21, as of the Oct 2, 2026 trading session. It has a 0.03% expense ratio and $8.7B in assets under management.

In the stored portfolio snapshot, the largest sector allocation is Cash & Others at 100.0%.

Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) ETF — Price, Holdings & Analysis

ETF Overview

VCLT aims to deliver current income by investing in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade corporate bonds. The ETF maintains a dollar-weighted average maturity between 10 and 25 years, making it sensitive to interest rate movements. VCLT's portfolio consists of 257 holdings, primarily U.S. based, with 91.1% exposure. Canada represents 2.2%, United Kingdom 1.9%, Singapore 0.7% and Japan 0.5%. The fund's sector allocation is heavily weighted towards Cash & Others, representing 100.0% of the portfolio. This focus on long-term, investment-grade corporate bonds makes VCLT suitable for investors seeking a steady stream of income and willing to accept interest rate risk. VCLT differentiates itself from broader bond ETFs by focusing specifically on the corporate bond sector and maintaining a longer average maturity, potentially leading to higher yields but also greater volatility.

Risk Metrics

VCLT carries interest rate risk due to its focus on long-term bonds; rising interest rates could negatively impact its NAV. With a 3-year beta of 1.96, VCLT exhibits higher volatility compared to the overall market. While the fund invests in investment-grade bonds, credit risk remains a factor, as issuers could potentially default on their debt obligations. The ETF's expense ratio of 0.03% helps to minimize expense drag, but investors should still consider the impact of inflation on real returns. The sector allocation shows 100% in Cash & Others, which could indicate a temporary defensive position or a unique classification within the fund's holdings, but it's important to acknowledge this concentration. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Beta: 1.96

Expense Ratio

0.03%

How Is the Fund Allocated?

Sector	Weight
Cash & Others	100.0%

Country	Weight
United States	91.1%
Canada	2.2%
United Kingdom	1.9%
Singapore	0.7%
Japan	0.5%
Netherlands	0.5%
France	0.4%
Australia	0.4%
Other	0.4%
Spain	0.3%

Dividend Yield

5.41%

Vanguard Ultra-Short Bond ETF (VUSB) — 0.10% expense ratio
Hartford Municipal Opportunities ETF (HMOP) — 0.29% expense ratio
Virtus Newfleet Securitized Income ETF (VABS) — 0.39% expense ratio
First Trust AAA CMBS ETF (CAAA) — 0.30% expense ratio

Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) (Large Cap Equity) — 0.03% expense ratio
Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC) (Large Cap Equity) — 0.05% expense ratio
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) (Large Cap Equity) — 0.03% expense ratio
Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) (Real Estate (Listed/REITs)) — 0.13% expense ratio
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (VOE) (Mid Cap Equity) — 0.05% expense ratio

Questions & Answers

What is VCLT and what does it track?

VCLT, or the Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF, is an exchange-traded fund that seeks to provide a high and sustainable level of current income. It achieves this by investing primarily in high-quality, investment-grade corporate bonds.

The fund maintains a dollar-weighted average maturity of 10 to 25 years, making it sensitive to changes in interest rates.

What is the expense ratio for VCLT?

The expense ratio for VCLT is 0.03%. This means that for every $10,000 invested in the fund, investors will pay $3 in annual fees.

This is significantly lower than the average expense ratio for similar core investment grade bond ETFs, which is around 0.44%. VCLT's low expense ratio makes it a cost-effective option for investors seeking exposure to long-term corporate bonds.

Is VCLT a good long-term investment?

VCLT can be a suitable long-term investment for investors seeking income from corporate bonds and willing to accept interest rate risk.

The fund's focus on investment-grade bonds provides a degree of stability, while its long-term maturity profile can lead to higher yields. However, investors should be aware that VCLT's NAV can be sensitive to changes in interest rates.

How does VCLT compare to similar ETFs?

VCLT distinguishes itself through its focus on long-term investment-grade corporate bonds and its exceptionally low expense ratio of 0.03%. Compared to other corporate bond ETFs, VCLT's longer average maturity may result in higher yields but also greater interest rate sensitivity.

Some competing ETFs may focus on shorter-term bonds or have a broader mandate that includes government bonds.

Does VCLT pay dividends?

Yes, VCLT pays dividends. As of 2026-03-15, VCLT has a dividend yield of 5.41%. The dividend yield represents the annual dividend payment as a percentage of the fund's current NAV.

VCLT's focus on investment-grade corporate bonds aims to generate a steady stream of income for its investors, which is then distributed as dividends.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

Data provided for informational purposes only.

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