BLV vs. VT
BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) and VT (Vanguard Total World Stock 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 VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BLV returned 0.32%/yr vs 12.38%/yr for VT. Their -0.11 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. BLV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VT.
Performance
BLV vs. VT - 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 VT's 12.40% return. Over the past 10 years, BLV has underperformed VT with an annualized return of 0.32%, while VT has yielded a comparatively higher 12.38% 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%
VT
- 1D
- 1.12%
- 1M
- 0.92%
- 6M
- 8.48%
- YTD
- 12.40%
- 1Y
- 24.89%
- 3Y*
- 19.46%
- 5Y*
- 10.72%
- 10Y*
- 12.38%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.87%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $51.99M | $52.76M | $45.16M | |
| $432.10M | $371.73M | $483.41M |
BLV vs. VT - 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% |
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 12.40% | 22.43% | 16.49% | 22.02% | -18.00% | 18.27% | 16.59% | 26.81% | -9.76% | 24.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between BLV and VT 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. | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.23 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2008 | -0.11 |
The correlation between BLV and VT shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (all time) to 0.38 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BLV vs. VT — Risk / Return Rank
BLV
VT
BLV vs. VT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT). 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 | VT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.83 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.49 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.32 | -0.32 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.05 | 2.58 | -2.63 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.11 | 10.76 | -10.87 |
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Drawdowns
BLV vs. VT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BLV drawdown since its inception was -38.29%, smaller than the maximum VT drawdown of -50.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLV and VT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BLV | VT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.29% | -50.27% | +11.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.92% | -9.67% | +3.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.70% | -16.51% | +4.81% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.27% | -26.38% | -9.89% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.29% | -34.24% | -4.05% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.16% | -0.73% | -25.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.64% | -6.97% | -2.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.66% | 2.32% | +0.34% |
Volatility
BLV vs. VT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) is 2.19%, while Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a volatility of 4.14%. This indicates that BLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BLV | VT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.19% | 4.14% | -1.95% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.97% | 11.69% | -5.72% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.77% | 13.96% | -6.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.91% | 16.23% | -3.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.95% | 17.19% | -5.24% |
BLV vs. VT - Expense Ratio Comparison
BLV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VT's 0.06% 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. VT - Dividend Comparison
BLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.97%, more than VT's 1.58% 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% |
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 1.58% | 1.82% | 1.95% | 2.08% | 2.20% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 2.32% | 2.53% | 2.11% | 2.39% | 2.45% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BLV and VT 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.
VT has higher volatility (4.14%) compared to BLV (2.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLV dropped -38.29% vs VT's -50.27%.
On 10-year performance, VT leads with 12.38% 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, VT has performed better with a 12.38% 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 0.06% for VT.
BLV has the higher dividend yield at 4.97%, compared with 1.58% for VT.
BLV is categorized as Long-Term Bond, while VT is Global Equities. BLV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BLV and 0.06% for VT.
VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 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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