BLV vs. VGLT
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) and Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT).
BLV and VGLT are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BLV is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the Barclays U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. It was launched on Apr 3, 2007. VGLT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the Barclays U.S. Long Government Float Adjusted Index. It was launched on Nov 19, 2009. Both BLV and VGLT are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: BLV or VGLT.
Key characteristics
| BLV | VGLT | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -7.54% | -8.79% |
| 1Y Return | -7.54% | -12.69% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -8.63% | -10.92% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | -1.70% | -3.71% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 1.50% | 0.38% |
| Sharpe Ratio | -0.46 | -0.73 |
| Daily Std Dev | 14.20% | 15.74% |
| Max Drawdown | -38.29% | -46.18% |
| Current Drawdown | -31.79% | -41.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between BLV and VGLT is 0.93, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
BLV vs. VGLT - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, BLV achieves a -7.54% return, which is significantly higher than VGLT's -8.79% return. Over the past 10 years, BLV has outperformed VGLT with an annualized return of 1.50%, while VGLT has yielded a comparatively lower 0.38% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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BLV vs. VGLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both BLV and VGLT have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
BLV vs. VGLT - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) 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.
Dividends
BLV vs. VGLT - Dividend Comparison
BLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.56%, more than VGLT's 3.84% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF | 4.56% | 4.06% | 4.17% | 3.37% | 5.84% | 3.57% | 4.07% | 3.63% | 4.16% | 4.37% | 3.90% | 4.85% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 3.84% | 3.33% | 2.84% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.46% | 2.71% | 2.55% | 2.69% | 3.21% | 2.75% | 3.19% |
Drawdowns
BLV vs. VGLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BLV drawdown since its inception was -38.29%, smaller than the maximum VGLT drawdown of -46.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLV and VGLT. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
BLV vs. VGLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) is 3.70%, while Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) has a volatility of 3.95%. This indicates that BLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.