IGOV vs. VTI
IGOV (iShares International Treasury Bond ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGOV is a International Government Bonds fund tracking the FTSE World Government Bond Index - Developed Markets Capped Select Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGOV returned -1.48%/yr vs 15.14%/yr for VTI. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IGOV charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.
Performance
IGOV vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IGOV achieves a -1.66% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 8.80% return. Over the past 10 years, IGOV has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of -1.48%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.14% annualized return.
IGOV
- 1D
- 0.15%
- 1M
- -1.11%
- YTD
- -1.66%
- 6M
- -2.06%
- 1Y
- -2.51%
- 3Y*
- 1.78%
- 5Y*
- -4.35%
- 10Y*
- -1.48%
VTI
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- -0.86%
- YTD
- 8.80%
- 6M
- 7.33%
- 1Y
- 22.77%
- 3Y*
- 20.62%
- 5Y*
- 11.81%
- 10Y*
- 15.14%
IGOV vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGOV iShares International Treasury Bond ETF | -1.66% | 9.96% | -6.50% | 5.57% | -22.07% | -9.25% | 10.88% | 3.76% | -2.60% | 11.38% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 8.80% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between IGOV and VTI is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 2009 | 0.14 |
Over the past year, IGOV and VTI have become more correlated (0.42) than their long-term average of 0.14, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
IGOV vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
IGOV
VTI
IGOV vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares International Treasury Bond ETF (IGOV) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.
| IGOV | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.85 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.96 | 1.32 | -0.37 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.44 | 2.56 | -3.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.97 | 11.37 | -12.34 |
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Drawdowns
IGOV vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IGOV drawdown since its inception was -35.88%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGOV and VTI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IGOV | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.88% | -55.45% | +19.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.70% | -8.92% | +3.22% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.65% | -19.30% | +8.65% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.92% | -25.36% | -7.56% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.88% | -35.00% | -0.88% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -24.89% | -2.86% | -22.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.06% | -8.01% | -3.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.60% | 2.01% | +0.59% |
Volatility
IGOV vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares International Treasury Bond ETF (IGOV) is 2.30%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 4.93%. This indicates that IGOV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IGOV | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.30% | 4.93% | -2.63% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.35% | 10.02% | -3.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.12% | 12.80% | -4.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.97% | 17.50% | -7.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.60% | 18.31% | -9.71% |
IGOV vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
IGOV has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
IGOV vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison
IGOV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, more than VTI's 1.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGOV iShares International Treasury Bond ETF | 1.43% | 1.41% | 0.59% | 0.00% | 0.11% | 0.39% | 0.00% | 0.24% | 0.31% | 0.19% | 0.69% | 0.12% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.04% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IGOV and VTI have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VTI has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to IGOV (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGOV dropped -35.88% vs VTI's -55.45%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.14% vs -1.48% for IGOV. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IGOV has been the lower-risk option at 2.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.14% return vs -1.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for IGOV.
IGOV has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 1.04% for VTI.
IGOV is categorized as International Government Bonds, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. IGOV tracks FTSE World Government Bond Index - Developed Markets Capped Select Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for IGOV and 0.03% for VTI.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs -0.31), 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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