Vanguard Core Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) Performance
VPLS total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- −0.8% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- −0.8% total return
- Since first price
- +13.0% since 2023
VPLS trailing returns vs AGG, TLT, SPY
| Period | VPLS total return | Price only | U.S. bonds (AGG) | 20+ yr Treasuries (TLT) | S&P 500 (SPY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +0.5% | +0.1% | +0.9% | +1.5% | −1.0% |
| 3 months | −0.7% | −1.9% | −0.4% | −1.0% | +3.2% |
| 6 months | −1.6% | −3.8% | −1.5% | −3.8% | +7.8% |
| YTD | −0.8% | −4.1% | −1.0% | −3.4% | +12.3% |
| 1 year | −0.8% | −5.4% | −1.1% | −6.9% | +14.4% |
| Since inceptionDec 7, 2023 | +13.0% | −0.7% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: VPLS vs AGG
From Dec 7, 2023: VPLS grew to $11,297, AGG to $10,993.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
VPLS returns by calendar year
2 of 2 full years positive. Best 2025 (+7.9%), worst 2024 (+2.7%). 2026 is year to date.
VPLS annual returns table
| Year | VPLS | Largest drop | AGG | TLT | SPY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | −0.8% | −4.3% | −1.0% | −3.4% | +12.3% |
| 2025 | +7.9% | −2.7% | +7.2% | +4.3% | +17.7% |
| 2024 | +2.7% | −3.4% | +1.3% | −8.1% | +24.9% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
VPLS risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2023 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +2.9% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5% |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.30 |
| Sortino ratio | -0.36 |
| Best month | +2.3% |
| Worst month | −2.7% |
| Best 12 months | +8.4% |
| Worst 12 months | −1.3% |
| Positive months | 64% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
VPLS rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 23 | −1.3% | +5.1% | +8.4% | 91% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2023. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
VPLS performance overview
Vanguard Core Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) returned −0.8% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Dec 7, 2023 it has returned +13.0%. Over the same year U.S. bonds (AGG) returned −1.1%.
Related: VPLS chart, VPLS dividends, VPLS bond profile. See the VPLS overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
VPLS performance FAQ
What is the VPLS return over the past year?
VPLS returned −0.8% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 5.4%.
How much would $10,000 invested in VPLS be worth?
$10,000 invested in VPLS at its first recorded close on December 7, 2023 would be worth about $11,297 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for VPLS?
The worst calendar year was 2024, with a total return of +2.7%. The best was 2025 at +7.9%.
How volatile is VPLS?
Over the past history VPLS had an annualized volatility of 4.5% and a Sharpe ratio of -0.30 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).