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TLT vs. VTI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

TLT vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond 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, TLT returned -1.66%/yr vs 15.05%/yr for VTI. At a correlation of -0.25, they often move in opposite directions. TLT charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

TLT vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLT achieves a -0.27% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.20% return. Over the past 10 years, TLT has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of -1.66%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.05% annualized return.

TLT

1D
-0.40%
1M
0.81%
YTD
-0.27%
6M
-2.02%
1Y
4.93%
3Y*
-1.80%
5Y*
-6.31%
10Y*
-1.66%

VTI

1D
-0.72%
1M
4.99%
YTD
11.20%
6M
11.09%
1Y
28.18%
3Y*
22.07%
5Y*
12.69%
10Y*
15.05%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

TLT vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
TLT
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF		-0.27%4.25%-8.05%2.77%-31.23%-4.60%18.15%14.12%-1.61%9.18%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		11.20%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between TLT and VTI is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.21

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.20

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.08

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.08

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 29, 2002

-0.25

The correlation between TLT and VTI shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Often compared with TLT:
TLT vs. SPYTLT vs. IEFTLT vs. TMFTLT vs. BNDTLT vs. VGLTTLT vs. TLTWTLT vs. EDV
Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

TLT vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
TLT
TLT Risk / Return Rank: 1616
Overall Rank
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1616
Sharpe Ratio Rank
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 1515
Sortino Ratio Rank
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 1515
Omega Ratio Rank
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 1717
Calmar Ratio Rank
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 1616
Martin Ratio Rank
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

TLT vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) 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.

TLTVTIDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.51

2.33

-1.82

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

0.80

3.18

-2.39

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.09

1.42

-0.33

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

0.65

3.17

-2.52

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

1.63

14.62

-13.00

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLT vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLT Sharpe Ratio is 0.51, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLT and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

TLTVTIDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.51

2.33

-1.82

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.40

0.73

-1.13

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.11

0.82

-0.94

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.26

0.51

-0.25

Drawdowns

TLT vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLT drawdown since its inception was -48.35%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLT and VTI.

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Drawdown Indicators

TLTVTIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-48.35%

-55.45%

+7.10%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.58%

-8.92%

+1.34%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.18%

-19.30%

+0.12%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-43.70%

-25.36%

-18.34%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-48.35%

-35.00%

-13.35%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-40.44%

-0.72%

-39.72%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-13.82%

-8.03%

-5.79%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.04%

1.93%

+1.11%

Volatility

TLT vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) is 2.76%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that TLT 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

TLTVTIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.76%

2.96%

-0.20%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

6.50%

9.13%

-2.63%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

9.77%

12.17%

-2.40%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.87%

17.40%

-1.53%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.91%

18.30%

-3.39%

TLT vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLT has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI'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

TLT vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

TLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
TLT
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF		4.59%4.43%4.30%3.38%2.67%1.50%1.50%2.27%2.63%2.43%2.60%2.61%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.01%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

TLT and VTI have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VTI has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to TLT (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLT dropped -48.35% vs VTI's -55.45%.

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.05% vs -1.66% for TLT. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, TLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.76%. 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 15.05% return vs -1.66%. 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 0.15% for TLT.

TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

TLT is categorized as Government Bonds, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for TLT and 0.03% for VTI.

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 0.51), 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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