GOVZ vs. VGLT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GOVZ (iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF) and VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - GOVZ tracks the ICE BofA Long US Treasury Principal STRIPS Index while VGLT tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GOVZ returned -11.12%/yr vs -4.98%/yr for VGLT. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GOVZ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGLT.

Performance

GOVZ vs. VGLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ) and Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GOVZ achieves a -0.44% return, which is significantly lower than VGLT's -0.01% return.

GOVZ

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: -0.44%
• 6M: -3.52%
• 1Y: 4.32%
• 3Y*: -7.28%
• 5Y*: -11.12%
• 10Y*: —

VGLT

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: -0.01%
• 6M: -1.04%
• 1Y: 5.54%
• 3Y*: -0.59%
• 5Y*: -4.98%
• 10Y*: -1.06%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GOVZ vs. VGLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GOVZ iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF	-0.44%	-1.81%	-16.24%	0.90%	-41.03%	-4.86%	-5.61%
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF	-0.01%	5.35%	-6.28%	3.27%	-29.34%	-4.98%	-3.92%

Correlation

The correlation between GOVZ and VGLT 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2020	0.98

The correlation between GOVZ and VGLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GOVZ vs. VGLT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GOVZ

GOVZ Risk / Return Rank: 12
GOVZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
GOVZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
GOVZ Omega Ratio Rank: 12
GOVZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
GOVZ Martin Ratio Rank: 10

VGLT

VGLT Risk / Return Rank: 18
VGLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
VGLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VGLT Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VGLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
VGLT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GOVZ vs. VGLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ) and Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT). 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.

	GOVZ	VGLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.27	0.63	-0.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.50	0.96	-0.46
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.11	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.18	0.65	-0.47
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.42	1.72	-1.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GOVZ vs. VGLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOVZ Sharpe Ratio is 0.27, which is lower than the VGLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOVZ and VGLT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GOVZ	VGLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27	0.63	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.47	-0.34	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.08	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.58	0.19	-0.77

Drawdowns

GOVZ vs. VGLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOVZ drawdown since its inception was -59.65%, which is greater than VGLT's maximum drawdown of -46.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOVZ and VGLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOVZ	VGLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.65%	-46.18%	-13.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.16%	-7.01%	-7.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.72%	-17.68%	-11.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.63%	-40.98%	-16.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.18%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-56.25%	-36.57%	-19.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.90%	-15.05%	-24.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.19%	2.67%	+3.52%

Volatility

GOVZ vs. VGLT - Volatility Comparison

iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ) has a higher volatility of 4.47% compared to Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) at 2.65%. This indicates that GOVZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOVZ	VGLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	2.65%	+1.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.66%	6.04%	+4.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.34%	8.92%	+7.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.93%	14.58%	+9.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.36%	13.82%	+9.54%

GOVZ vs. VGLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

GOVZ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VGLT'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

GOVZ vs. VGLT - Dividend Comparison

GOVZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.15%, more than VGLT's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GOVZ iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF	5.15%	5.00%	4.68%	3.84%	3.69%	1.76%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF	4.59%	4.44%	4.33%	3.33%	2.84%	1.82%	2.15%	2.46%	2.71%	2.55%	2.69%	3.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOVZ and VGLT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, GOVZ and VGLT 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.

Which is riskier, GOVZ or VGLT?

GOVZ has higher volatility (4.47%) compared to VGLT (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOVZ dropped -59.65% vs VGLT's -46.18%.

Which ETF is better, GOVZ or VGLT?

On 5-year performance, VGLT leads with -4.98% vs -11.12% for GOVZ. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GOVZ or VGLT?

Over the 5-year period, VGLT has performed better with a -4.98% return vs -11.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GOVZ or VGLT?

VGLT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for GOVZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GOVZ or VGLT?

GOVZ has the higher dividend yield at 5.15%, compared with 4.59% for VGLT.

What is the main difference between GOVZ and VGLT?

GOVZ tracks ICE BofA Long US Treasury Principal STRIPS Index, while VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for GOVZ and 0.03% for VGLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 vs 0.27), 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.