BHK vs. VGLT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BHK (BlackRock Core Bond Trust) is a stock, while VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) is Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. Over the past 10 years, BHK returned 2.92%/yr vs -1.20%/yr for VGLT. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BHK vs. VGLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Core Bond Trust (BHK) and Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BHK achieves a -1.73% return, which is significantly lower than VGLT's 0.49% return. Over the past 10 years, BHK has outperformed VGLT with an annualized return of 2.92%, while VGLT has yielded a comparatively lower -1.20% annualized return.

BHK

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: -1.73%
• 6M: -1.11%
• 1Y: 2.28%
• 3Y*: 3.77%
• 5Y*: -2.93%
• 10Y*: 2.92%

VGLT

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 0.49%
• 6M: 0.38%
• 1Y: 4.08%
• 3Y*: -0.75%
• 5Y*: -5.58%
• 10Y*: -1.20%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BHK vs. VGLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BHK BlackRock Core Bond Trust	-1.73%	2.51%	4.02%	14.42%	-32.52%	8.03%	18.02%	26.36%	-7.59%	14.22%
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF	0.49%	5.35%	-6.28%	3.27%	-29.34%	-4.98%	17.57%	14.30%	-1.54%	8.64%

Correlation

The correlation between BHK and VGLT is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.31

Over the past year, BHK and VGLT have become more correlated (0.55) than their long-term average of 0.31, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

BHK vs. VGLT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BHK

BHK Risk / Return Rank: 47
BHK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
BHK Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
BHK Omega Ratio Rank: 41
BHK Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
BHK Martin Ratio Rank: 51

VGLT

VGLT Risk / Return Rank: 15
VGLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
VGLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
VGLT Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VGLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
VGLT Martin Ratio Rank: 15

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BHK vs. VGLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Core Bond Trust (BHK) and Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT). 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.

	BHK	VGLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.26	0.48	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.42	0.75	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.08	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.28	0.59	-0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.67	1.45	-0.77

BHK vs. VGLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BHK Sharpe Ratio is 0.26, which is lower than the VGLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BHK and VGLT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BHK vs. VGLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BHK drawdown since its inception was -39.59%, smaller than the maximum VGLT drawdown of -46.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BHK and VGLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	BHK	VGLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.59%	-46.18%	+6.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.13%	-7.01%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.73%	-17.68%	+2.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.59%	-40.98%	+1.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.59%	-46.18%	+6.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.26%	-36.26%	+16.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.79%	-15.12%	+7.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.39%	2.82%	+0.57%

Volatility

BHK vs. VGLT - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Core Bond Trust (BHK) has a higher volatility of 2.53% compared to Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) at 2.08%. This indicates that BHK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BHK	VGLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.53%	2.08%	+0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.58%	6.07%	+0.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.74%	8.61%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.46%	14.53%	-0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.12%	13.80%	-0.68%

Dividends

BHK vs. VGLT - Dividend Comparison

BHK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.97%, more than VGLT's 4.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BHK BlackRock Core Bond Trust	9.97%	9.25%	8.56%	8.21%	7.91%	6.36%	5.06%	5.32%	6.39%	5.56%	6.23%	7.03%
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF	4.57%	4.44%	4.33%	3.33%	2.84%	1.82%	2.15%	2.46%	2.71%	2.55%	2.69%	3.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BHK and VGLT in my portfolio?

BHK and VGLT have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BHK or VGLT?

BHK has higher volatility (2.53%) compared to VGLT (2.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BHK dropped -39.59% vs VGLT's -46.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.48 vs 0.26), 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.