LQD vs VCIT
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF compared with Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund ETF Shares on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
LQD
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
VCIT
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund ETF Shares
TTM yield · Monthly
Quick take
- VCIT yields more today: 5.03% vs 4.86% (forward).
- Both pay every month.
- Over the last year VCIT delivered the higher total return: -1.0% vs -2.3% (price change plus payouts).
- VCIT is cheaper to own: 0.03% vs 0.14% expense ratio.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | LQD | VCIT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $103.85 | $79.25 |
| TTM yield | 4.86% | 5.03% |
| Forward yield | 4.86% | 5.03% |
| Annual payout per share | $5.049 | $3.99 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 31, 2026 (est.) | Oct 31, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.14% | 0.03% |
| 1-year payout growth | — | — |
| 5-year payout CAGR | — | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | — | — |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 94/100 | 97/100 |
| 1-year total return | -2.3% | -1.0% |
| 1-year price return | -6.8% | -5.8% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 28.3B | 68.6B |
| Years paying | 24.1 | 16.8 |
| Sector / category | Corporate Bond | Corporate 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
| LQD | VCIT | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 96.3 | 126.2 |
| Income per year | $486 | $503 |
| Income per month (avg) | $41 | $42 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model LQD · Model VCIT
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LQD Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.4208 | Est. |
| LQD Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $0.4208 | Est. |
| LQD Dec 30, 2026 | Jan 13, 2027 | $0.4208 | Est. |
| VCIT Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | $0.3325 | Est. |
| VCIT Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 2, 2026 | $0.3325 | Est. |
| VCIT Dec 30, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | $0.3325 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
LQDVCIT
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, LQD or VCIT?
VCIT currently has the higher trailing yield: LQD yields 4.86% and VCIT yields 5.03%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do LQD and VCIT pay?
LQD pays every month and VCIT pays every month. LQD's next ex-date is Oct 31, 2026 and VCIT's is Oct 31, 2026.
Is LQD or VCIT better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. LQD and VCIT 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.