VBCE ETF — Vanguard Target Maturity 2031 Corporate Bond ETF

Vanguard Target Maturity 2031 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCE)

VBCE is a low-cost ETF. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 4.41%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.20%, its expense ratio is 0.08%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 50/100 (Caution). Fund total return is 1.5% over the past 0.4 years, 17.8 points behind SPY at 19.3%.

At the current 4.41% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $441 per year, or $36.75 per month on an equivalent basis.

Vanguard Target Maturity 2031 Corporate Bond ETF holds a portfolio of investment-grade corporate bonds structured to mature around 2031, providing predictable principal return at a specified date alongside periodic coupon payments. The fund appeals to fixed-income investors seeking a defined maturity timeline and reduced interest rate risk compared to traditional bond funds, with expenses and yield characteristics typical of Vanguard's institutional-quality bond offerings. This structure suits investors planning for specific financial goals or liability dates in the early 2030s.

VBCE performance versus SPY

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Fund total return is 1.5% over the past 0.4 years, 17.8 points behind SPY at 19.3%.

VBCE key facts

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

50 · Caution

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Fixed Income

Expense ratio

0.08%

Distribution rate

4.41%

Distribution frequency

Monthly

Trailing yield

1.20%

Last close

$74.91

AUM

$44,862,000

Average volume

5116.0

Last dividend

$0.2750

Ex-dividend date

08/03/2026

Payment date

08/05/2026

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (4.41%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (1.20%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Primary sources: Vanguard fund page; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

VBCE risks and drawbacks

Total return has trailed SPY over the available window.

Who may consider VBCE — and who may not

VBCE may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Frequently asked questions

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