GBF vs. VTG
GBF (iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF) and VTG (Vanguard Total Treasury ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds - GBF tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index while VTG tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index. Both are passively managed. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GBF charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTG.
Performance
GBF vs. VTG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GBF achieves a 0.35% return, which is significantly higher than VTG's 0.01% return.
GBF
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- YTD
- 0.35%
- 6M
- 0.18%
- 1Y
- 4.02%
- 3Y*
- 3.64%
- 5Y*
- -0.19%
- 10Y*
- 1.51%
VTG
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- 0.10%
- YTD
- 0.01%
- 6M
- 0.06%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GBF vs. VTG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
GBF iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF | 0.35% | 2.93% |
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF | 0.01% | 2.88% |
Correlation
The correlation between GBF and VTG is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2025 | 0.97 |
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Return for Risk
GBF vs. VTG — Risk / Return Rank
GBF
VTG
GBF vs. VTG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (GBF) and Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG). 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.
| GBF | VTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.48 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.37 | — | — |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GBF | VTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.09 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.03 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.29 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.58 | 0.91 | -0.33 |
Drawdowns
GBF vs. VTG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GBF drawdown since its inception was -19.67%, which is greater than VTG's maximum drawdown of -2.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBF and VTG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GBF | VTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.67% | -2.89% | -16.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.73% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.78% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.45% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.67% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.71% | -1.78% | -2.93% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.67% | -0.74% | -2.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | — | — |
Volatility
GBF vs. VTG - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| GBF | VTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.21% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.64% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.75% | 3.51% | +0.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.93% | 3.51% | +2.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.28% | 3.51% | +1.77% |
GBF vs. VTG - Expense Ratio Comparison
GBF has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VTG's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
GBF vs. VTG - Dividend Comparison
GBF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.78%, more than VTG's 3.20% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBF iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF | 3.78% | 3.81% | 3.94% | 3.03% | 2.13% | 1.22% | 1.64% | 2.64% | 2.59% | 2.31% | 2.09% | 2.04% |
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF | 3.20% | 1.65% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, GBF and VTG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
On fees, VTG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VTG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GBF.
GBF has the higher dividend yield at 3.78%, compared with 3.20% for VTG.
GBF tracks Bloomberg U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index, while VTG tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GBF and 0.03% for VTG.
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