BLV vs. VTI
BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market 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 VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BLV returned 0.32%/yr vs 14.66%/yr for VTI. Their -0.14 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
BLV vs. VTI - 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 VTI's 12.18% return. Over the past 10 years, BLV has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 0.32%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.66% 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%
VTI
- 1D
- 1.53%
- 1M
- 1.38%
- 6M
- 9.81%
- YTD
- 12.18%
- 1Y
- 23.70%
- 3Y*
- 20.38%
- 5Y*
- 12.06%
- 10Y*
- 14.66%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.64%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $51.99M | $52.76M | $45.16M | |
| $1.08B | $1.16B | $1.24B |
BLV vs. VTI - 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% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 12.18% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between BLV and VTI is 0.35, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.21 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007 | -0.14 |
The correlation between BLV and VTI shifts across timeframes, from -0.14 (all time) to 0.35 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BLV vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
BLV
VTI
BLV vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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 | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.86 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.32 | -0.32 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.05 | 2.67 | -2.72 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.11 | 11.50 | -11.61 |
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Drawdowns
BLV vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BLV drawdown since its inception was -38.29%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLV and VTI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BLV | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.29% | -55.45% | +17.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.92% | -8.92% | +3.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.70% | -19.30% | +7.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.27% | -25.36% | -10.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.29% | -35.00% | -3.29% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.16% | 0.00% | -26.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.64% | -7.98% | -1.66% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.66% | 2.07% | +0.59% |
Volatility
BLV vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) is 2.19%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 3.78%. This indicates that BLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BLV | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.19% | 3.78% | -1.59% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.97% | 10.33% | -4.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.77% | 13.08% | -5.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.91% | 17.53% | -4.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.95% | 18.31% | -6.36% |
BLV vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both BLV and VTI 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. VTI - Dividend Comparison
BLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.97%, more than VTI's 1.04% 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% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.04% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BLV and VTI have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VTI has higher volatility (3.78%) compared to BLV (2.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLV dropped -38.29% vs VTI's -55.45%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.66% 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, VTI has performed better with a 14.66% return vs 0.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BLV and VTI have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
BLV has the higher dividend yield at 4.97%, compared with 1.04% for VTI.
BLV is categorized as Long-Term Bond, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. BLV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 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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