VCIT
Vanguard Intermediate-term Corporate Bond Index Fund ETF
TREND FOLLOWING PERFORMANCE HISTORY
2026-07-26
Executive Summary
The quantitative backtest for VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-term Corporate Bond Index Fund ETF) using the Excess Return SMA* strategy in a Investing context demonstrated its primary role in risk mitigation, experiencing a maximum drawdown of -18.2% (compared to the benchmark's drawdown of -20.6%). Over the evaluated period, this protective approach generated a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.7%, compared to a Buy-and-Hold benchmark return of 3.5%. The strategy executed 4 total trades.
* Excess Return SMA: Advanced Single Moving Average model utilizing custom duration weighting and dynamic Stop Loss limits.
* Excess Return SMA: Advanced Single Moving Average model utilizing custom duration weighting and dynamic Stop Loss limits.
📊 Mathematical Model
Excess Return MMA
Advanced Ensemble: Uses multiple signal layers for maximum trend stability and noise reduction.
Excess Return MMA CA
Advanced Dynamic Sleeve: MMA ensemble signals on the primary asset combined with a momentum-based cash alternative ETF rotation.
Excess Return SMA Active
Standard Signal: Classical quantitative trend following optimized for reliable directionality.
Moving Average (50/200)
Moving Average: The baseline 50/200-day crossover model used by technical analysts worldwide.
🎯 Investment Objective
🛡️ Long-Term Investing Active
Ideal for wealth preservation and multi-year horizons. Optimized for low turnover and tax efficiency.
⚔️ Tactical Trading
Ideal for active capital rotation and momentum-first accounts. Optimized for high sensitivity to price shifts.
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VCIT Quality Metrics & KPI Summary
| Metric | 1Y | 5Y | 10Y | Full History | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strategy | B&H | Strategy | B&H | Strategy | B&H | Strategy | B&H | |
| CAGR | 3.29% | 3.29% | 1.26% | 0.70% | 1.49% | 2.64% | 2.73% | 3.53% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.79 | 0.79 | 0.34 | 0.11 | 0.34 | 0.42 | 0.62 | 0.61 |
| Max Drawdown | -2.96% | -2.96% | -11.42% | -20.56% | -18.24% | -20.56% | -18.24% | -20.56% |
| % Time Invested | 100.0% | 100.0% | 53.8% | 100.0% | 71.7% | 100.0% | 80.0% | 100.0% |
| Trades / Year | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Cumulative Growth Performance
Return Distribution Analysis
Trade History
This log shows every signal-driven transition. Completed trades reflect standard market cycles. An Open or Mark-to-Market exit denotes an active position (either in the primary asset or a cash/yield sleeve) valued at the current price for reporting purposes. Interest entries record yield accrued from cash or cash alternatives (like BIL) during out-of-market defensive periods.
| Entry Date | Exit Date | Type | Allocation | Entry Price | Exit Price | Net Return % | Exit Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🔒 Active Positions & Recent Execution Signals Hidden Trading on delayed data carries high execution risk. Current allocations, pending next-day rebalances, and active execution signals (last 60 days) require a Premium subscription. Upgrade to Pro to Unlock | ||||||||
| 2022-04-12 | 2024-08-05 | Interest (CASH) | 100% | $1.00 | $1.11 | 10.73% | Interest Income | |
| 2020-04-14 | 2022-04-12 | Completed | 100% | $72.50 | $70.16 | -3.28% | Signal | |
| 2020-03-20 | 2020-04-14 | Interest (CASH) | 100% | $1.00 | $1.00 | 0.01% | Interest Income | |
| 2019-01-25 | 2020-03-20 | Completed | 100% | $63.94 | $63.68 | -0.46% | Stop | |
| 2018-08-09 | 2019-01-25 | Interest (CASH) | 100% | $1.00 | $1.01 | 1.04% | Interest Income | |
| 2014-06-24 | 2018-08-09 | Completed | 100% | $56.39 | $62.75 | 11.22% | Signal | |
| 2014-05-19 | 2014-06-24 | Interest (CASH) | 100% | $1.00 | $1.00 | 0.00% | Interest Income | |
| 2011-11-16 | 2014-05-19 | Completed | 100% | $48.77 | $56.40 | 15.58% | Signal | |
| 2011-11-14 | 2011-11-16 | Interest (CASH) | 100% | $1.00 | $1.00 | 0.00% | Interest Income | |