VCLT Stock: Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF Profile & Analysis (2026)
A low-cost Vanguard fund providing targeted exposure to high-quality, long-maturity investment-grade corporate debt — Updated May 2026 with current AUM, expense ratio, holdings, and performance data.
The Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) serves as a cornerstone for investors seeking exposure to the long end of the corporate credit curve. By tracking the Bloomberg US 10+ Year Corporate Bond Index, VCLT provides access to a diversified pool of over 2,400 investment-grade bonds. These holdings represent the debt of stable, blue-chip entities, ranging from financial institutions to established names found on the Complete List Of Food & Beverage Companies Listed On U.S. Exchanges.
With a razor-thin expense ratio of 0.03%, VCLT is designed for maximum cost efficiency. However, its significant duration — often exceeding 13 years — means the fund is highly sensitive to shifts in the interest rate environment. Investors often pair this fixed-income vehicle with equity positions like Small Cap Aerospace & Defense Stocks to build a balanced portfolio that manages both growth and income needs.
Key Takeaways — VCLT Stock
With an expense ratio of just 0.03%, VCLT is one of the most affordable ways to access the long-term corporate bond market.
A duration of 13-14 years makes VCLT volatile; a 1% rise in interest rates can lead to a double-digit decline in the fund’s price.
The fund strictly holds bonds rated BBB or higher, focusing on the creditworthiness of large, stable industrial and financial firms.
VCLT provides regular monthly dividends, making it a popular choice for retirees and income-focused portfolios.
VCLT — Live Price Chart
Real-time chart from TradingView.
VCLT ETF Vitals & Key Statistics
Core data as of May 2026.
| Data Point | Value | Data Point | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | Ticker | VCLT |
| Issuer | Vanguard (The Vanguard Group, Inc.) | Asset Class | Fixed Income |
| Index Tracked | Bloomberg US 10+ Year Corporate Bond Index | Structure | ETF |
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | AUM | $7.33B |
| Inception Date | November 19, 2009 | Exchange | NASDAQ |
| No. of Holdings | 2,477 | Dividend Yield | 0.03% |
| 52-Week High | $74.29 | 52-Week Low | $74.29 |
| Avg Daily Volume | 7.33B | YTD Return | 0.03% |
| 1-Year Return | 0.03% | 5-Year Return | 0.03% |
| Category | Long-Term Corporate Bond | Dividend Frequency | Monthly |
VCLT Top 10 Holdings (May 2026)
Largest positions by weight. Click columns to sort.
| Rank | Ticker | Company Name | Sector | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BUD | Anheuser Busch / AB InBev | Consumer Staples | 0.39% |
| 2 | CVS | CVS Health Corp | Healthcare | 0.34% |
| 3 | GS | Goldman Sachs Group | Financials | 0.31% |
| 4 | BA | Boeing Co. | Industrials | 0.28% |
| 5 | BUD | Anheuser Busch / AB InBev (Issue 2) | Consumer Staples | 0.26% |
| 6 | WFC | Wells Fargo & Co. | Financials | 0.25% |
| 7 | ABBV | AbbVie Inc. | Healthcare | 0.25% |
| 8 | T | AT&T Inc. (Issue 1) | Communications | 0.24% |
| 9 | CVS | CVS Health Corp (Issue 2) | Healthcare | 0.24% |
| 10 | T | AT&T Inc. (Issue 2) | Communications | 0.23% |
VCLT — Pros & Cons
✓ Industry-Leading Expense Ratio
At 0.03%, VCLT provides institutional-grade pricing for retail investors, ensuring that more of the yield stays in your pocket.
✗ Extreme Interest Rate Risk
Due to its long duration, VCLT is highly vulnerable to rising rates, which can cause significant capital losses in a short period.
✓ High Credit Quality
By focusing on investment-grade bonds, the fund minimizes default risk compared to high-yield or “junk” bond alternatives.
✗ Limited Capital Appreciation
As a fixed-income product, growth is largely capped by the coupon rates unless interest rates decline significantly.
✓ Deep Market Liquidity
With billions in AUM and high trading volume, VCLT is easy to buy and sell with minimal spreads.
✗ Corporate Credit Exposure
Unlike Treasuries, VCLT is subject to credit spreads widening during economic downturns, which can pressure the share price.
Who Should Consider VCLT?
Income-seeking investors with a long-term horizon who want high-quality corporate exposure and are willing to weather interest rate volatility.
Investors who are bearish on the bond market or those who need to protect their principal from short-term fluctuations in interest rates.
You believe inflation has peaked and interest rates are likely to trend lower, which would increase the value of long-dated bonds. This strategy is often used alongside a Complete List Of Semiconductor Companies Listed On U.S. Exchanges for growth.
Typically best held in tax-deferred or tax-exempt accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s due to the tax treatment of monthly interest payments.
VCLT vs Similar ETFs
Key metrics comparison.
| ETF | Full Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Holdings | Div Yield | YTD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCLT ★ | Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.03% | $7.33B | 2,477 | 0.03% | 0.03% | Low-cost long-term debt |
| SPLB | SPDR Portfolio Long Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.03% | ~$1B | ~2,500 | ~4.5% | 0.03% | Direct VCLT competitor |
| IGLB | iShares 10+ Year Inv Grade Corp Bond ETF | 0.04% | ~$2B | ~3,000 | ~4.4% | 0.03% | Broad bond diversification |
| LQD | iShares iBoxx $ Inv Grade Corp Bond ETF | 0.14% | ~$30B | ~2,500 | ~4.1% | 0.03% | Shorter duration/Liquidity |
VCLT Technical Analysis
Real-time buy/sell signals.
VCLT — Risks & Considerations
Interest Rate Sensitivity
VCLT has a weighted average duration of 13–14 years. This means for every 1% increase in interest rates, the fund’s price is expected to fall by approximately 13-14%.
Credit Risk
While the fund focuses on investment-grade bonds, it still carries the risk that an issuer could be downgraded or default on its debt obligations during economic stress.
Inflation Risk
Sustained high inflation can erode the purchasing power of the fixed interest payments generated by VCLT, potentially leading to negative real returns.
Sector Concentration
The fund has significant exposure to the Financial, Industrial, and Utility sectors. Adverse regulatory changes in these sectors could impact a large portion of the portfolio.