ISTB vs VCSH
iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF compared with Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund ETF Shares on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
ISTB
iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
VCSH
Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund ETF Shares
TTM yield · Monthly
Quick take
- VCSH yields more today: 4.51% vs 4.31% (forward).
- Both pay every month.
- Over the last year VCSH delivered the higher total return: +2.2% vs +2.1% (price change plus payouts).
- VCSH is cheaper to own: 0.03% vs 0.06% expense ratio.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | ISTB | VCSH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $47.80 | $78.14 |
| TTM yield | 4.31% | 4.51% |
| Forward yield | 4.31% | 4.51% |
| Annual payout per share | $2.058 | $3.521 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 1, 2026 (est.) | Oct 1, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| 1-year payout growth | — | — |
| 5-year payout CAGR | — | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | — | — |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 98/100 | 97/100 |
| 1-year total return | +2.1% | +2.2% |
| 1-year price return | -2.1% | -2.2% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 5.1B | 51.7B |
| Years paying | 13.8 | 16.7 |
| Sector / category | Short-Term Bond | Short-Term Bond |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| ISTB | VCSH | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 209.2 | 128.0 |
| Income per year | $431 | $451 |
| Income per month (avg) | $36 | $38 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model ISTB · Model VCSH
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISTB Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | $0.1715 | Est. |
| ISTB Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | $0.1715 | Est. |
| ISTB Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 3, 2026 | $0.1715 | Est. |
| VCSH Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 | $0.2934 | Est. |
| VCSH Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | $0.2934 | Est. |
| VCSH Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 2, 2026 | $0.2934 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
ISTBVCSH
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, ISTB or VCSH?
VCSH currently has the higher trailing yield: ISTB yields 4.31% and VCSH yields 4.51%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do ISTB and VCSH pay?
ISTB pays every month and VCSH pays every month. ISTB's next ex-date is Oct 1, 2026 and VCSH's is Oct 1, 2026.
Is ISTB or VCSH better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. ISTB and VCSH differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.