VCIT vs. VGLT
VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while VGLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VCIT returned 2.85%/yr vs -1.28%/yr for VGLT. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VCIT vs. VGLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VCIT achieves a -0.26% return, which is significantly higher than VGLT's -1.16% return. Over the past 10 years, VCIT has outperformed VGLT with an annualized return of 2.85%, while VGLT has yielded a comparatively lower -1.28% annualized return.
VCIT
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- -0.79%
- YTD
- -0.26%
- 6M
- 0.06%
- 1Y
- 5.98%
- 3Y*
- 6.04%
- 5Y*
- 1.04%
- 10Y*
- 2.85%
VGLT
- 1D
- -0.40%
- 1M
- -1.25%
- YTD
- -1.16%
- 6M
- -1.18%
- 1Y
- 4.15%
- 3Y*
- -0.94%
- 5Y*
- -5.66%
- 10Y*
- -1.28%
VCIT vs. VGLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | -0.26% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -13.98% | -1.77% | 9.46% | 14.10% | -1.74% | 5.31% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | -1.16% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | 14.30% | -1.54% | 8.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between VCIT and VGLT is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.75 |
The correlation between VCIT and VGLT shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (all time) to 0.89 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VCIT vs. VGLT — Risk / Return Rank
VCIT
VGLT
VCIT vs. VGLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) 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.
| VCIT | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.43 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.08 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.03 | 0.60 | +1.43 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.67 | 1.53 | +5.14 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VCIT | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.48 | 0.48 | +1.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 | -0.39 | +0.55 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.46 | -0.09 | +0.55 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.75 | 0.18 | +0.57 |
Drawdowns
VCIT vs. VGLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VCIT drawdown since its inception was -20.56%, smaller than the maximum VGLT drawdown of -46.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIT and VGLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VCIT | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.56% | -46.18% | +25.62% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.96% | -7.01% | +4.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | -17.68% | +11.57% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.56% | -40.98% | +20.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.56% | -46.18% | +25.62% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.79% | -37.30% | +35.51% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.16% | -15.08% | +11.92% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.90% | 2.72% | -1.82% |
Volatility
VCIT vs. VGLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) is 1.39%, while Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) has a volatility of 2.50%. This indicates that VCIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VCIT | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.39% | 2.50% | -1.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.10% | 5.96% | -2.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.07% | 8.71% | -4.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.61% | 14.57% | -7.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.28% | 13.82% | -7.54% |
VCIT vs. VGLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VCIT and VGLT 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
VCIT vs. VGLT - Dividend Comparison
VCIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.82%, more than VGLT's 4.64% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.82% | 4.62% | 4.43% | 3.72% | 3.03% | 2.87% | 2.78% | 3.37% | 3.61% | 3.21% | 3.29% | 3.34% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 4.64% | 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
VCIT and VGLT have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VGLT has higher volatility (2.50%) compared to VCIT (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIT dropped -20.56% vs VGLT's -46.18%.
On 10-year performance, VCIT leads with 2.85% vs -1.28% for VGLT. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VCIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VCIT has performed better with a 2.85% return vs -1.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VCIT and VGLT have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.82%, compared with 4.64% for VGLT.
VCIT is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VGLT is Government Bonds. VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index, while VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index.
VCIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 0.48), 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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