BLV vs. VOO
BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 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 VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BLV returned 0.32%/yr vs 15.17%/yr for VOO. Their -0.10 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
BLV vs. VOO - 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 VOO's 11.72% return. Over the past 10 years, BLV has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 0.32%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.17% 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%
VOO
- 1D
- 1.42%
- 1M
- 1.69%
- 6M
- 9.53%
- YTD
- 11.72%
- 1Y
- 23.30%
- 3Y*
- 20.85%
- 5Y*
- 13.12%
- 10Y*
- 15.17%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.88%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $51.99M | $52.76M | $45.16M | |
| $3.97B | $3.80B | $5.49B |
BLV vs. VOO - 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% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 11.72% | 17.82% | 24.98% | 26.32% | -18.17% | 28.79% | 18.32% | 31.37% | -4.50% | 21.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between BLV and VOO is 0.33, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.20 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010 | -0.10 |
The correlation between BLV and VOO shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BLV vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank
BLV
VOO
BLV vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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 | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.87 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.33 | -0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.05 | 2.63 | -2.68 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.11 | 11.23 | -11.35 |
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Drawdowns
BLV vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BLV drawdown since its inception was -38.29%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLV and VOO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BLV | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.29% | -33.99% | -4.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.92% | -8.90% | +2.98% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.70% | -18.69% | +6.99% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.27% | -24.52% | -11.75% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.29% | -33.99% | -4.30% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.16% | 0.00% | -26.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.64% | -3.67% | -5.97% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.66% | 2.08% | +0.58% |
Volatility
BLV vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) is 2.19%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 3.81%. This indicates that BLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BLV | VOO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.19% | 3.81% | -1.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.97% | 10.18% | -4.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.77% | 12.80% | -5.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.91% | 16.95% | -4.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.95% | 18.02% | -6.07% |
BLV vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both BLV and VOO have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BLV vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison
BLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.97%, more than VOO's 1.05% 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% |
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 1.05% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.46% | 1.69% | 1.25% | 1.54% | 1.88% | 2.06% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BLV and VOO have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VOO has higher volatility (3.81%) compared to BLV (2.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLV dropped -38.29% vs VOO's -33.99%.
On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.17% vs 0.32% for BLV. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. 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, VOO has performed better with a 15.17% return vs 0.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BLV and VOO have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
BLV has the higher dividend yield at 4.97%, compared with 1.05% for VOO.
BLV is categorized as Long-Term Bond, while VOO is S&P 500. BLV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index.
VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 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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