Wedmont Private Capital Increases Stake in Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF

Wedmont Private Capital has significantly increased its exposure to the U.S. investment-grade corporate bond market, acquiring an additional 205,526 shares of the Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC). According to a recent SEC filing, the transaction is estimated at $15.96 million based on quarterly average pricing. This addition brings Wedmont's total stake in the ETF to 1,356,285 shares, with a total position value of approximately $104.50 million. The trade represents a 0.51% shift in the firm's 13F reportable assets under management (AUM), and the position now accounts for 3.37% of its total reportable portfolio. The VTC ETF tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Bond Index, providing diversified exposure across short, intermediate, and long maturities. The fund is noted for its high efficiency, featuring a 0.03% expense ratio—significantly lower than the category average of 0.54%—and a trailing 12-month yield of 4.91%. For institutional managers, the use of a broad ETF like VTC offers a balance of liquidity and diversification that is difficult to replicate through individual bond selection. By utilizing an indexed, rules-based approach, the fund provides exposure to nearly 5,000 bonds, mitigating the default risk associated with single-issuer holdings while maintaining a focus on high credit quality.