BLV vs. VIG
BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BLV is a Long-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VIG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BLV returned 0.32%/yr vs 12.98%/yr for VIG. Their -0.13 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. BLV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VIG.
Performance
BLV vs. VIG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BLV achieves a -2.38% return, which is significantly lower than VIG's 10.16% return. Over the past 10 years, BLV has underperformed VIG with an annualized return of 0.32%, while VIG has yielded a comparatively higher 12.98% annualized return.
BLV
- 1D
- 0.44%
- 1M
- -3.14%
- 6M
- -2.34%
- YTD
- -2.38%
- 1Y
- -0.29%
- 3Y*
- 2.08%
- 5Y*
- -5.11%
- 10Y*
- 0.32%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.05%
VIG
- 1D
- 0.41%
- 1M
- 0.64%
- 6M
- 7.02%
- YTD
- 10.16%
- 1Y
- 19.59%
- 3Y*
- 15.82%
- 5Y*
- 10.56%
- 10Y*
- 12.98%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.24%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $51.99M | $52.76M | $45.16M | |
| $232.65M | $242.03M | $260.72M |
BLV vs. VIG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF | -2.38% | 6.44% | -3.65% | 7.35% | -26.95% | -2.89% | 16.13% | 18.99% | -4.17% | 10.74% |
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | 10.16% | 14.17% | 16.99% | 14.51% | -9.80% | 23.76% | 15.43% | 29.62% | -2.08% | 22.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between BLV and VIG is 0.38, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007 | -0.13 |
The correlation between BLV and VIG shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (all time) to 0.38 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BLV vs. VIG — Risk / Return Rank
BLV
VIG
BLV vs. VIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). 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.
| BLV | VIG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.99 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.35 | -0.35 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.05 | 2.49 | -2.54 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.11 | 10.11 | -10.22 |
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Drawdowns
BLV vs. VIG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BLV drawdown since its inception was -38.29%, smaller than the maximum VIG drawdown of -46.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLV and VIG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BLV | VIG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.29% | -46.81% | +8.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.92% | -7.91% | +1.99% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.70% | -14.95% | +3.25% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.27% | -20.39% | -15.88% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.29% | -31.72% | -6.57% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.16% | -0.66% | -25.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.64% | -5.47% | -4.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.66% | 1.94% | +0.72% |
Volatility
BLV vs. VIG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) is 2.19%, while Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) has a volatility of 2.57%. This indicates that BLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BLV | VIG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.19% | 2.57% | -0.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.97% | 7.62% | -1.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.77% | 10.08% | -2.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.91% | 14.20% | -1.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.95% | 16.02% | -4.07% |
BLV vs. VIG - Expense Ratio Comparison
BLV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VIG's 0.04% 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
BLV vs. VIG - Dividend Comparison
BLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.97%, more than VIG's 1.49% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF | 4.97% | 4.67% | 5.09% | 4.06% | 4.17% | 3.37% | 6.12% | 3.57% | 4.07% | 3.63% | 4.16% | 4.37% |
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | 1.49% | 1.62% | 1.73% | 1.88% | 1.96% | 1.55% | 1.63% | 1.71% | 2.08% | 1.88% | 2.14% | 2.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BLV and VIG have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VIG has higher volatility (2.57%) compared to BLV (2.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLV dropped -38.29% vs VIG's -46.81%.
On 10-year performance, VIG leads with 12.98% vs 0.32% for BLV. On fees, BLV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VIG has performed better with a 12.98% return vs 0.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BLV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for VIG.
BLV has the higher dividend yield at 4.97%, compared with 1.49% for VIG.
BLV is categorized as Long-Term Bond, while VIG is Dividend. BLV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VIG tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BLV and 0.04% for VIG.
VIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs -0.04), 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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