AGG vs. VPL
AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AGG is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, while VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AGG returned 1.54%/yr vs 11.06%/yr for VPL. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. AGG charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VPL.
Performance
AGG vs. VPL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AGG achieves a 0.37% return, which is significantly lower than VPL's 29.60% return. Over the past 10 years, AGG has underperformed VPL with an annualized return of 1.54%, while VPL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.06% annualized return.
AGG
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- 0.95%
- YTD
- 0.37%
- 6M
- 0.51%
- 1Y
- 4.60%
- 3Y*
- 3.97%
- 5Y*
- 0.02%
- 10Y*
- 1.54%
VPL
- 1D
- 0.02%
- 1M
- 5.81%
- YTD
- 29.60%
- 6M
- 33.16%
- 1Y
- 52.93%
- 3Y*
- 21.66%
- 5Y*
- 10.87%
- 10Y*
- 11.06%
AGG vs. VPL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.37% | 7.19% | 1.31% | 5.65% | -13.02% | -1.77% | 7.48% | 8.46% | 0.09% | 3.55% |
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF | 29.60% | 32.66% | 1.68% | 15.58% | -15.20% | 1.10% | 16.65% | 18.16% | -14.40% | 28.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between AGG and VPL is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005 | -0.04 |
The correlation between AGG and VPL shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (all time) to 0.39 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
AGG vs. VPL — Risk / Return Rank
AGG
VPL
AGG vs. VPL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) and Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AGG | VPL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.46 | -0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.67 | 3.99 | -2.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.88 | 15.25 | -10.37 |
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Drawdowns
AGG vs. VPL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AGG drawdown since its inception was -18.43%, smaller than the maximum VPL drawdown of -55.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGG and VPL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AGG | VPL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.43% | -55.49% | +37.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.76% | -13.33% | +10.57% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | -16.35% | +10.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.82% | -31.09% | +13.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.43% | -33.90% | +15.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.03% | -0.80% | -1.23% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.71% | -11.62% | +8.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.94% | 3.48% | -2.54% |
Volatility
AGG vs. VPL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) is 1.26%, while Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a volatility of 9.92%. This indicates that AGG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AGG | VPL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.26% | 9.92% | -8.66% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.82% | 18.87% | -16.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.80% | 21.36% | -17.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.09% | 17.72% | -11.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.41% | 17.48% | -12.07% |
AGG vs. VPL - Expense Ratio Comparison
AGG has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VPL's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
AGG vs. VPL - Dividend Comparison
AGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, more than VPL's 2.74% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 3.98% | 3.89% | 3.74% | 3.13% | 2.39% | 1.77% | 2.14% | 2.70% | 2.72% | 2.32% | 2.39% | 2.45% |
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF | 2.74% | 4.01% | 3.15% | 3.12% | 2.75% | 3.19% | 1.81% | 2.84% | 3.06% | 2.57% | 2.65% | 2.43% |
Frequently Asked Questions
AGG and VPL have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VPL has higher volatility (9.92%) compared to AGG (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGG dropped -18.43% vs VPL's -55.49%.
On 10-year performance, VPL leads with 11.06% vs 1.54% for AGG. On fees, AGG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, AGG has been the lower-risk option at 1.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VPL has performed better with a 11.06% return vs 1.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
AGG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for VPL.
AGG has the higher dividend yield at 3.98%, compared with 2.74% for VPL.
AGG is categorized as Total Bond Market, while VPL is Asia Pacific Equities. AGG tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, while VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for AGG and 0.08% for VPL.
VPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 1.22), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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