PHYS vs. VGLT

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PHYS (Sprott Physical Gold Trust) is a stock, while VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) is Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. Over the past 10 years, PHYS returned 11.42%/yr vs -1.21%/yr for VGLT. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PHYS vs. VGLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) 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, PHYS achieves a -3.85% return, which is significantly lower than VGLT's 0.03% return. Over the past 10 years, PHYS has outperformed VGLT with an annualized return of 11.42%, while VGLT has yielded a comparatively lower -1.21% annualized return.

PHYS

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -10.61%
• YTD: -3.85%
• 6M: -3.47%
• 1Y: 22.63%
• 3Y*: 28.00%
• 5Y*: 16.26%
• 10Y*: 11.42%

VGLT

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 0.03%
• 6M: 0.49%
• 1Y: 3.29%
• 3Y*: -0.30%
• 5Y*: -5.52%
• 10Y*: -1.21%

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

PHYS vs. VGLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PHYS Sprott Physical Gold Trust	-3.85%	63.95%	26.43%	12.98%	-1.81%	-4.84%	23.89%	18.14%	-2.64%	12.78%
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF	0.03%	5.35%	-6.28%	3.27%	-29.34%	-4.98%	17.57%	14.30%	-1.54%	8.64%

Correlation

The correlation between PHYS and VGLT is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2010	0.23

The correlation between PHYS and VGLT shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (1 year) to 0.29 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PHYS vs. VGLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

PHYS

PHYS Risk / Return Rank: 64
PHYS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
PHYS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
PHYS Omega Ratio Rank: 64
PHYS Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
PHYS Martin Ratio Rank: 66

VGLT

VGLT Risk / Return Rank: 15
VGLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
VGLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
VGLT Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VGLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
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.

PHYS vs. VGLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) 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.

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.

	PHYS	VGLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	0.38	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	0.61	+0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.07	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.92	0.47	+0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.64	1.19	+1.45

PHYS vs. VGLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PHYS Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is higher than the VGLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHYS 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.

Drawdowns

PHYS vs. VGLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PHYS drawdown since its inception was -48.16%, roughly equal to the maximum VGLT drawdown of -46.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHYS and VGLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	PHYS	VGLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.16%	-46.18%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.80%	-7.01%	-17.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.80%	-17.68%	-7.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.80%	-40.98%	+16.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.80%	-46.18%	+21.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.43%	-36.55%	+14.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.99%	-15.09%	-5.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.60%	2.78%	+5.82%

Volatility

PHYS vs. VGLT - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) has a higher volatility of 7.80% compared to Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) at 2.69%. This indicates that PHYS'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

	PHYS	VGLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.80%	2.69%	+5.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.75%	6.09%	+18.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.17%	8.78%	+19.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.53%	14.57%	+3.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.41%	13.82%	+2.59%

Dividends

PHYS vs. VGLT - Dividend Comparison

PHYS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PHYS Sprott Physical Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 PHYS and VGLT in my portfolio?

PHYS and VGLT have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PHYS or VGLT?

PHYS has higher volatility (7.80%) compared to VGLT (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHYS dropped -48.16% vs VGLT's -46.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PHYS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs 0.38), 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.