SPTL vs. VTG
SPTL (SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF) and VTG (Vanguard Total Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - SPTL tracks the Bloomberg Long U.S. Treasury Index while VTG tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SPTL returned -1.73% vs 1.06% for VTG. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
SPTL vs. VTG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SPTL achieves a -3.28% return, which is significantly lower than VTG's -0.78% return.
SPTL
- 1D
- -0.67%
- 1M
- -3.50%
- 6M
- -3.17%
- YTD
- -3.28%
- 1Y
- -1.73%
- 3Y*
- -0.59%
- 5Y*
- -7.09%
- 10Y*
- -1.81%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.09%
VTG
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- -1.11%
- 6M
- -0.79%
- YTD
- -0.78%
- 1Y
- 1.06%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 2.14%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $141.08M | $126.11M | $146.73M | |
| $2.81M | $3.14M | $2.90M |
SPTL vs. VTG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
SPTL SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF | -3.28% | 4.17% |
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF | -0.78% | 3.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between SPTL and VTG is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025 | 0.94 |
The correlation between SPTL and VTG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SPTL vs. VTG — Risk / Return Rank
SPTL
VTG
SPTL vs. VTG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF (SPTL) 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.
| SPTL | VTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.62 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.10 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.06 | 0.68 | -0.75 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.14 | 1.62 | -1.76 |
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Drawdowns
SPTL vs. VTG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SPTL drawdown since its inception was -46.20%, which is greater than VTG's maximum drawdown of -2.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPTL and VTG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SPTL | VTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.20% | -2.89% | -43.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.09% | -2.89% | -4.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.39% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -41.02% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.20% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -38.71% | -2.55% | -36.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.43% | -0.90% | -13.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.21% | 1.22% | +1.99% |
Volatility
SPTL vs. VTG - Volatility Comparison
SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF (SPTL) has a higher volatility of 2.26% compared to Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) at 0.88%. This indicates that SPTL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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
| SPTL | VTG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.26% | 0.88% | +1.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.39% | 2.68% | +3.71% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.51% | 3.49% | +5.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.50% | 3.51% | +10.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.88% | 3.51% | +10.37% |
SPTL vs. VTG - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both SPTL and VTG have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
SPTL vs. VTG - Dividend Comparison
SPTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.35%, more than VTG's 3.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPTL SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF | 3.99% | 4.12% | 4.03% | 3.24% | 2.75% | 1.68% | 1.71% | 2.45% | 2.69% | 2.53% | 2.56% | 2.60% |
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF | 3.31% | 1.65% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, SPTL and VTG 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.
SPTL has higher volatility (2.26%) compared to VTG (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPTL dropped -46.20% vs VTG's -2.89%.
On 1-year performance, VTG leads with 1.06% vs -1.73% for SPTL. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VTG has been the lower-risk option at 0.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, VTG has performed better with a 1.06% return vs -1.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPTL and VTG have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
SPTL has the higher dividend yield at 3.99%, compared with 3.31% for VTG.
SPTL tracks Bloomberg Long U.S. Treasury Index, while VTG tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard.
VTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.57 vs -0.05), 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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