VB vs. VGIT
VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) and VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index, while VGIT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VB returned 11.04%/yr vs 1.13%/yr for VGIT. Their -0.19 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VB vs. VGIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VB achieves a 16.95% return, which is significantly higher than VGIT's -0.61% return. Over the past 10 years, VB has outperformed VGIT with an annualized return of 11.04%, while VGIT has yielded a comparatively lower 1.13% annualized return.
VB
- 1D
- 1.52%
- 1M
- -0.23%
- 6M
- 11.01%
- YTD
- 16.95%
- 1Y
- 27.83%
- 3Y*
- 15.29%
- 5Y*
- 7.95%
- 10Y*
- 11.04%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.95%
VGIT
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- -0.60%
- 6M
- -0.43%
- YTD
- -0.61%
- 1Y
- 1.28%
- 3Y*
- 3.67%
- 5Y*
- -0.25%
- 10Y*
- 1.13%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.14%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $124.44M | $120.08M | $165.69M | |
| $130.25M | $142.29M | $175.18M |
VB vs. VGIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 16.95% | 8.87% | 14.17% | 18.22% | -17.51% | 17.57% | 19.19% | 27.34% | -9.34% | 16.26% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | -0.61% | 7.34% | 1.39% | 4.28% | -10.53% | -2.64% | 7.71% | 6.19% | 1.35% | 1.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between VB and VGIT is 0.33, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.11 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2009 | -0.19 |
The correlation between VB and VGIT shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VB vs. VGIT — Risk / Return Rank
VB
VGIT
VB vs. VGIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT). 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.
| VB | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.07 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.11 | 0.45 | +2.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.36 | 1.04 | +10.32 |
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Drawdowns
VB vs. VGIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VB drawdown since its inception was -59.56%, which is greater than VGIT's maximum drawdown of -16.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VB and VGIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VB | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.56% | -16.05% | -43.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.98% | -2.83% | -6.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.36% | -4.34% | -21.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.15% | -14.73% | -13.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.05% | -16.05% | -26.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.15% | -2.54% | +1.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.39% | -3.51% | -4.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.46% | 1.23% | +1.23% |
Volatility
VB vs. VGIT - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a higher volatility of 3.71% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) at 0.84%. This indicates that VB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VB | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.71% | 0.84% | +2.87% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.04% | 2.60% | +9.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.44% | 3.20% | +13.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.71% | 5.39% | +15.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.38% | 4.49% | +16.89% |
VB vs. VGIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VB and VGIT 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
VB vs. VGIT - Dividend Comparison
VB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.20%, less than VGIT's 3.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF | 1.20% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.55% | 1.59% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.50% | 1.48% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 3.90% | 3.79% | 3.67% | 2.73% | 1.74% | 1.69% | 2.23% | 2.24% | 2.05% | 1.67% | 1.69% | 1.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VB and VGIT have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VB has higher volatility (3.71%) compared to VGIT (0.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VB dropped -59.56% vs VGIT's -16.05%.
On 10-year performance, VB leads with 11.04% vs 1.13% for VGIT. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VGIT has been the lower-risk option at 0.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VB has performed better with a 11.04% return vs 1.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VB and VGIT have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VGIT has the higher dividend yield at 3.90%, compared with 1.20% for VB.
VB is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VGIT is Government Bonds. VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index, while VGIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index.
VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 0.40), 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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