IBTJ vs. VTG
IBTJ (iShares iBonds Dec 2029 Term Treasury ETF) and VTG (Vanguard Total Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - IBTJ tracks the ICE 2029 Maturity US Treasury Index while VTG tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBTJ returned 2.86% vs 2.81% for VTG. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IBTJ charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTG.
Performance
IBTJ vs. VTG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBTJ achieves a -0.05% return, which is significantly higher than VTG's -0.43% return.
IBTJ
- 1D
- -0.12%
- 1M
- -0.08%
- 6M
- -0.00%
- YTD
- -0.05%
- 1Y
- 2.86%
- 3Y*
- 3.68%
- 5Y*
- -0.30%
- 10Y*
- —
VTG
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- -0.53%
- 6M
- -0.49%
- YTD
- -0.43%
- 1Y
- 2.81%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IBTJ vs. VTG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
IBTJ iShares iBonds Dec 2029 Term Treasury ETF | -0.05% | 2.95% |
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF | -0.43% | 3.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between IBTJ and VTG is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025 | 0.90 |
The correlation between IBTJ and VTG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IBTJ vs. VTG — Risk / Return Rank
IBTJ
VTG
IBTJ vs. VTG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds Dec 2029 Term Treasury ETF (IBTJ) 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.
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.
| IBTJ | VTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.14 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.77 | 0.98 | +0.80 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.42 | 2.56 | +1.86 |
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Drawdowns
IBTJ vs. VTG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBTJ drawdown since its inception was -20.19%, which is greater than VTG's maximum drawdown of -2.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBTJ and VTG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBTJ | VTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.19% | -2.89% | -17.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.62% | -2.89% | +1.27% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.41% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.21% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.25% | -2.21% | -4.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.67% | -0.83% | -8.84% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.65% | 1.10% | -0.45% |
Volatility
IBTJ vs. VTG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares iBonds Dec 2029 Term Treasury ETF (IBTJ) is 0.73%, while Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) has a volatility of 1.13%. This indicates that IBTJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IBTJ | VTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.73% | 1.13% | -0.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.67% | 2.64% | -0.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.35% | 3.53% | -1.18% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.70% | 3.53% | +2.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.95% | 3.53% | +2.42% |
IBTJ vs. VTG - Expense Ratio Comparison
IBTJ has a 0.07% 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
IBTJ vs. VTG - Dividend Comparison
IBTJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.80%, more than VTG's 3.55% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBTJ iShares iBonds Dec 2029 Term Treasury ETF | 3.80% | 3.78% | 3.95% | 3.48% | 1.86% | 0.74% | 0.61% |
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF | 3.55% | 1.65% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IBTJ and VTG have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VTG has higher volatility (1.13%) compared to IBTJ (0.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBTJ dropped -20.19% vs VTG's -2.89%.
On 1-year performance, IBTJ leads with 2.86% vs 2.81% for VTG. On fees, VTG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IBTJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, IBTJ has performed better with a 2.86% return vs 2.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IBTJ.
IBTJ has the higher dividend yield at 3.80%, compared with 3.55% for VTG.
IBTJ tracks ICE 2029 Maturity US Treasury 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: 0.07% for IBTJ and 0.03% for VTG.
IBTJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.22 vs 0.80), 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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