PGOVX vs. VGWAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PGOVX (PIMCO Long-Term U.S. Government Fund) and VGWAX (Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PGOVX is a Government Bonds fund managed by PIMCO, while VGWAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, PGOVX returned -5.78%/yr vs 8.26%/yr for VGWAX. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PGOVX charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for VGWAX.

Performance

PGOVX vs. VGWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Long-Term U.S. Government Fund (PGOVX) and Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VGWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGOVX achieves a -0.47% return, which is significantly lower than VGWAX's 10.51% return.

PGOVX

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: -0.47%
• 6M: -1.11%
• 1Y: 4.36%
• 3Y*: -1.29%
• 5Y*: -5.78%
• 10Y*: -1.33%

VGWAX

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 10.51%
• 6M: 11.59%
• 1Y: 21.88%
• 3Y*: 14.30%
• 5Y*: 8.26%
• 10Y*: —

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

PGOVX vs. VGWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PGOVX PIMCO Long-Term U.S. Government Fund	-0.47%	6.44%	-7.62%	1.46%	-29.39%	-4.59%	17.83%	13.44%	2.92%
VGWAX Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	10.51%	17.48%	6.27%	12.54%	-7.07%	13.51%	7.51%	22.16%	-5.05%

Correlation

The correlation between PGOVX and VGWAX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 15, 2018	0.04

Over the past year, PGOVX and VGWAX have become more correlated (0.40) than their long-term average of 0.04, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

PGOVX vs. VGWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGOVX

PGOVX Risk / Return Rank: 8
PGOVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
PGOVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
PGOVX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PGOVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
PGOVX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

VGWAX

VGWAX Risk / Return Rank: 78
VGWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VGWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VGWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VGWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VGWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

PGOVX vs. VGWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Long-Term U.S. Government Fund (PGOVX) and Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VGWAX). 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.

	PGOVX	VGWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	2.79	-2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	3.99	-3.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.53	-0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.79	3.32	-2.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.19	13.52	-11.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PGOVX vs. VGWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGOVX Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the VGWAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGOVX and VGWAX, 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

	PGOVX	VGWAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65	2.79	-2.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.40	0.90	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.10	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.83	-0.33

Drawdowns

PGOVX vs. VGWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGOVX drawdown since its inception was -46.64%, which is greater than VGWAX's maximum drawdown of -25.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGOVX and VGWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGOVX	VGWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.64%	-25.28%	-21.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.60%	-6.67%	-0.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.06%	-7.69%	-10.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.48%	-17.46%	-24.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.06%	-0.47%	-37.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.26%	-2.90%	-6.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	1.63%	+1.11%

Volatility

PGOVX vs. VGWAX - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Long-Term U.S. Government Fund (PGOVX) has a higher volatility of 2.94% compared to Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VGWAX) at 2.40%. This indicates that PGOVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGOVX	VGWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	2.40%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.52%	6.33%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.34%	7.93%	+1.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.44%	9.17%	+5.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.76%	10.96%	+2.80%

PGOVX vs. VGWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGOVX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VGWAX's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGOVX vs. VGWAX - Dividend Comparison

PGOVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.13%, less than VGWAX's 6.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PGOVX PIMCO Long-Term U.S. Government Fund	4.13%	3.86%	1.19%	1.05%	2.09%	6.93%	27.91%	2.60%	3.25%	2.88%	3.31%	81.57%
VGWAX Vanguard Global Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	6.12%	6.78%	7.47%	2.66%	4.50%	3.36%	1.64%	2.08%	2.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGOVX and VGWAX in my portfolio?

PGOVX and VGWAX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PGOVX or VGWAX?

PGOVX has higher volatility (2.94%) compared to VGWAX (2.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGOVX dropped -46.64% vs VGWAX's -25.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 0.65), 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.