VCIT vs LQD: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (VCIT) and iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.

Over the past year, VCIT returned +0.07% with dividends reinvested, compared with -0.93% for LQD. VCIT currently yields 5.02% (trailing 12-month) against 4.82% for LQD. Across five years the total-return gap is +4.21% for VCIT vs -4.83% for LQD.

VCIT leads on both current yield and 1-year total return. Yields and returns move with markets, so check the longer periods below before drawing conclusions.

Across 1,265 shared trading dates from October 26, 2021 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -19.65% for VCIT and -24.55% for LQD. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.

VCIT's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.3026 to $0.3501 per share across 12 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

LQD's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.3815 to $0.4576 per share across 12 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

Fund expense ratios are annual operating costs, not a bill added to the historical returns shown here. Trading spreads, brokerage costs and personal taxes can reduce an investor's realized return.

Check each fund's maturity, credit exposure and interest-rate sensitivity in its issuer documents. Compare those differences with fees and the historical record instead of treating all bond or cash-oriented funds as interchangeable.

Review Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (VCIT) payment history and iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) payment history before choosing assumptions for the dividend reinvestment calculator. Run each scenario separately; the calculator uses your rates rather than importing these historical returns.

For a cash target, use the income goal calculator. Read our guide to comparing dividend ETFs and data and editorial approach for context on the historical figures.