VBCJ ETF — Vanguard Target Maturity 2036 Corporate Bond ETF

Vanguard Target Maturity 2036 Corporate Bond ETF (VBCJ)

VBCJ is a low-cost ETF. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 5.41%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.77%, its expense ratio is 0.08%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 50/100 (Caution). Fund total return is 0.3% over the past 0.4 years, 19.0 points behind SPY at 19.3%.

At the current 5.41% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $541 per year, or $45.08 per month on an equivalent basis.

VBCJ is a fixed income ETF that holds investment-grade corporate bonds with maturities aligned to 2036, providing a laddered approach to bond maturity risk. The fund is designed for investors seeking predictable income from corporate debt with a defined time horizon, offering exposure to higher-quality issuers rather than the broader bond market. This structure appeals to income-focused investors who want clarity on when their principal will be returned and prefer a passive, diversified corporate bond strategy managed by Vanguard.

VBCJ performance versus SPY

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Fund total return is 0.3% over the past 0.4 years, 19.0 points behind SPY at 19.3%.

VBCJ 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

5.41%

Distribution frequency

Monthly

Trailing yield

1.77%

Last close

$73.64

AUM

$11,814,400

Average volume

2155.0

Last dividend

$0.3320

Ex-dividend date

08/03/2026

Payment date

08/05/2026

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (5.41%) 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 (1.77%) 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.

VBCJ risks and drawbacks

Total return has trailed SPY over the available window.

Who may consider VBCJ — and who may not

VBCJ 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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