VEA vs. VGLT
VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US 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, VEA returned 10.72%/yr vs -1.21%/yr for VGLT. At a correlation of -0.20, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VEA vs. VGLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VEA achieves a 14.73% return, which is significantly higher than VGLT's 0.03% return. Over the past 10 years, VEA has outperformed VGLT with an annualized return of 10.72%, while VGLT has yielded a comparatively lower -1.21% annualized return.
VEA
- 1D
- 0.34%
- 1M
- 1.30%
- YTD
- 14.73%
- 6M
- 16.65%
- 1Y
- 29.82%
- 3Y*
- 19.03%
- 5Y*
- 9.51%
- 10Y*
- 10.72%
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%
VEA vs. VGLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 14.73% | 35.16% | 3.15% | 17.93% | -15.34% | 11.66% | 9.71% | 22.62% | -14.75% | 26.42% |
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 VEA and VGLT is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.04 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | -0.20 |
The correlation between VEA and VGLT shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (all time) to 0.36 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VEA vs. VGLT — Risk / Return Rank
VEA
VGLT
VEA vs. VGLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) 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.
| VEA | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.43 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.89 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.07 | +0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.58 | 0.47 | +2.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.92 | 1.19 | +8.73 |
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Drawdowns
VEA vs. VGLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than VGLT's maximum drawdown of -46.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and VGLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VEA | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.68% | -46.18% | -14.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.63% | -7.01% | -4.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.45% | -17.68% | +4.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.71% | -40.98% | +11.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.73% | -46.18% | +10.45% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.06% | -36.55% | +35.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.28% | -15.09% | +1.81% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.02% | 2.78% | +0.24% |
Volatility
VEA vs. VGLT - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a higher volatility of 6.84% compared to Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) at 2.69%. This indicates that VEA'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.
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Volatility by Period
| VEA | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.84% | 2.69% | +4.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.38% | 6.09% | +8.29% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.58% | 8.78% | +7.80% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.72% | 14.57% | +2.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.40% | 13.82% | +3.58% |
VEA vs. VGLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VEA 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
VEA vs. VGLT - Dividend Comparison
VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, less than VGLT's 4.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 2.62% | 3.22% | 3.35% | 3.15% | 2.91% | 3.16% | 2.04% | 3.04% | 3.35% | 2.77% | 3.05% | 2.92% |
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
VEA and VGLT have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VEA has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to VGLT (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs VGLT's -46.18%.
On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.72% vs -1.21% for VGLT. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VGLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.72% return vs -1.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VEA and VGLT have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 2.62% for VEA.
VEA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VGLT is Government Bonds. VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index.
VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 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.
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