BWX vs. VUG
BWX (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BWX is a International Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Treasury x US Capped (Inception 8/31/2007), 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, BWX returned -1.37%/yr vs 18.02%/yr for VUG. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BWX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.
Performance
BWX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BWX achieves a -2.00% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 5.40% return. Over the past 10 years, BWX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of -1.37%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.02% annualized return.
BWX
- 1D
- -0.86%
- 1M
- 0.07%
- YTD
- -2.00%
- 6M
- -1.69%
- 1Y
- -2.92%
- 3Y*
- 0.82%
- 5Y*
- -4.15%
- 10Y*
- -1.37%
VUG
- 1D
- -1.36%
- 1M
- -1.70%
- YTD
- 5.40%
- 6M
- 8.24%
- 1Y
- 22.75%
- 3Y*
- 23.06%
- 5Y*
- 13.77%
- 10Y*
- 18.02%
BWX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BWX SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF | -2.00% | 7.67% | -5.93% | 5.10% | -19.72% | -8.67% | 9.50% | 5.58% | -1.85% | 9.93% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 5.40% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between BWX and VUG is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2007 | 0.15 |
The correlation between BWX and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BWX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
BWX
VUG
BWX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF (BWX) 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.
| BWX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.75 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.94 | 1.24 | -0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.47 | 1.38 | -1.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.92 | 4.74 | -5.67 |
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Drawdowns
BWX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BWX drawdown since its inception was -34.05%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BWX and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BWX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.05% | -50.68% | +16.63% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.16% | -16.53% | +10.37% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.22% | -22.85% | +12.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.78% | -35.61% | +4.83% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.05% | -35.61% | +1.56% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -24.05% | -5.18% | -18.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.07% | -7.09% | -2.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.16% | 4.81% | -1.65% |
Volatility
BWX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF (BWX) is 2.38%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 6.42%. This indicates that BWX 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
| BWX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.38% | 6.42% | -4.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.97% | 13.29% | -7.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.70% | 16.68% | -8.98% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.70% | 22.35% | -12.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.67% | 21.51% | -12.84% |
BWX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
BWX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
BWX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
BWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.38%, more than VUG's 0.39% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BWX SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF | 2.38% | 2.19% | 1.99% | 1.63% | 1.23% | 0.93% | 0.95% | 1.16% | 1.07% | 0.46% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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
BWX and VUG have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VUG has higher volatility (6.42%) compared to BWX (2.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BWX dropped -34.05% vs VUG's -50.68%.
On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 18.02% vs -1.37% for BWX. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BWX has been the lower-risk option at 2.38%. 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 18.02% return vs -1.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BWX.
BWX has the higher dividend yield at 2.38%, compared with 0.39% for VUG.
BWX is categorized as International Government Bonds, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. BWX tracks Bloomberg Global Treasury x US Capped (Inception 8/31/2007), while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BWX and 0.03% for VUG.
VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.37 vs -0.38), 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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