Vanguard Core Plus Bond ETF

VPLS

Market cap $1.46B

Added 101,286 shares of VPLS; estimated transaction value $7.93 million based on quarterly average price Quarter-end position value increased by $7.86 million, reflecting both trading and price movement Change represents 3.78% of 13F AUM New stake: 107,275 shares valued at $8.32 million Position now accounts for 3.97% of reportable AUM, placing it outside the fund's top five holdings

Keystone Financial Group, Inc. added 91,403 shares; estimated transaction value $7.15 million (based on quarterly average pricing) Quarter-end position value increased by $7.00 million, reflecting both additional shares and price changes Trade represented a 3.7% change in 13F reportable assets under management (AUM) Post-trade position: 272,896 shares valued at $21.17 million Position now accounts for 11.0% of fund AUM, which places it outside the fund's top five holdings

Insight Wealth Strategies acquired 343,106 shares of VPLS during the first quarter; the estimated trade size was $26.9 million based on quarterly average pricing. The new holding represents 3.0% of 13F assets under management (AUM), which places it just outside the fund's top five holdings.

Insight Wealth Strategies acquired 343,106 shares of VPLS during the first quarter; the estimated trade size was $26.9 million based on quarterly average pricing. The new holding represents 3.0% of 13F assets under management (AUM), which places it just outside the fund's top five holdings.

Vanguard is known for its cheap index funds. The company has a smaller, solid lineup of active funds. The Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF is one such fund, focusing on high-quality bonds. VPLS compares favorably to its benchmark, BND, on most key metrics, with a higher 4.5% dividend yield outperformance since inception.

Exited entire stake in VPLS, reducing holdings by 62,410 shares; estimated trade value of approximately $4.9 million (based on average Q4 2025 pricing). Quarter-end position value declined by $4.9 million, reflecting both trading activity and price movement.

Record demand and new launches have helped to define a banner year for fixed income in 2025. With 2026 around the corner, it's an ideal time to explore the best ways to maximize fixed income exposure as the Fed continues easing monetary policy.

The capital markets weren't blindsided by the U.S. Federal Reserve's third and final rate cut of 2025. While the majority of markets are cheering the quarter-point cut, a contingent of fixed-income investors could jeer at the prospect of yields falling with more cuts to come in 2026.

Investors looking for core bond exposure typically have two pathways when it comes to ETFs. One is passive options that track an index.

Vanguard Core Plus Bond ETF (VPLS) offers a flexible, actively managed bond strategy with global diversification and selective high-yield exposure for today's environment. VPLS balances U.S. investment-grade, corporate, and foreign bonds, providing yield opportunities while maintaining a quality tilt and limiting credit risk. The fund is well-positioned for a potential Fed easing cycle, with enough duration to benefit from lower rates and credit spreads that remain supportive.