BLV vs. VUG
BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth 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 VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BLV returned 0.32%/yr vs 17.52%/yr for VUG. Their -0.11 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
BLV vs. VUG - 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 VUG's 7.33% return. Over the past 10 years, BLV has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 0.32%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.52% 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%
VUG
- 1D
- 2.21%
- 1M
- 1.85%
- 6M
- 8.45%
- YTD
- 7.33%
- 1Y
- 17.91%
- 3Y*
- 23.28%
- 5Y*
- 12.56%
- 10Y*
- 17.52%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.19%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $51.99M | $52.76M | $45.16M | |
| $562.97M | $645.16M | $657.53M |
BLV vs. VUG - 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% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 7.33% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between BLV and VUG is 0.27, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.27 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.18 |
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 | -0.11 |
The correlation between BLV and VUG shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (all time) to 0.27 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BLV vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
BLV
VUG
BLV vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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 | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.48 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.18 | -0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.05 | 1.09 | -1.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.11 | 3.45 | -3.56 |
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Drawdowns
BLV vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BLV drawdown since its inception was -38.29%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLV and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BLV | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.29% | -50.68% | +12.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.92% | -16.53% | +10.61% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.70% | -22.85% | +11.15% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.27% | -35.61% | -0.66% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.29% | -35.61% | -2.68% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.16% | -3.45% | -22.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.64% | -7.08% | -2.56% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.66% | 5.20% | -2.54% |
Volatility
BLV vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) is 2.19%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 5.95%. This indicates that BLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BLV | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.19% | 5.95% | -3.76% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.97% | 14.38% | -8.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.77% | 17.76% | -9.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.91% | 22.52% | -9.61% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.95% | 21.57% | -9.62% |
BLV vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both BLV and VUG 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. VUG - Dividend Comparison
BLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.97%, more than VUG's 0.39% 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% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.39% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BLV and VUG have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VUG has higher volatility (5.95%) compared to BLV (2.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLV dropped -38.29% vs VUG's -50.68%.
On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 17.52% 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, VUG has performed better with a 17.52% return vs 0.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BLV and VUG have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
BLV has the higher dividend yield at 4.97%, compared with 0.39% for VUG.
BLV is categorized as Long-Term Bond, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. BLV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index.
VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 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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