VGIT vs. IAGG
VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) and IAGG (iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGIT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while IAGG is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGIT returned 1.16%/yr vs 2.12%/yr for IAGG. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGIT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IAGG.
Performance
VGIT vs. IAGG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGIT achieves a -0.78% return, which is significantly lower than IAGG's 0.72% return. Over the past 10 years, VGIT has underperformed IAGG with an annualized return of 1.16%, while IAGG has yielded a comparatively higher 2.12% annualized return.
VGIT
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -0.87%
- YTD
- -0.78%
- 6M
- -0.42%
- 1Y
- 3.55%
- 3Y*
- 3.40%
- 5Y*
- -0.07%
- 10Y*
- 1.16%
IAGG
- 1D
- -0.14%
- 1M
- -0.18%
- YTD
- 0.72%
- 6M
- 0.87%
- 1Y
- 2.26%
- 3Y*
- 4.55%
- 5Y*
- 1.05%
- 10Y*
- 2.12%
VGIT vs. IAGG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | -0.78% | 7.34% | 1.39% | 4.28% | -10.53% | -2.64% | 7.71% | 6.19% | 1.35% | 1.70% |
IAGG iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.72% | 3.26% | 4.51% | 8.49% | -10.86% | -1.87% | 4.63% | 7.99% | 3.38% | 2.09% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGIT and IAGG is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2015 | 0.70 |
The correlation between VGIT and IAGG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VGIT vs. IAGG — Risk / Return Rank
VGIT
IAGG
VGIT vs. IAGG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) and iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG). 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.
| VGIT | IAGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.46 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.14 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.26 | 0.98 | +0.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.66 | 2.91 | +0.76 |
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
| VGIT | IAGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08 | 0.80 | +0.28 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.01 | 0.23 | -0.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.26 | 0.53 | -0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.49 | 0.61 | -0.12 |
Drawdowns
VGIT vs. IAGG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGIT drawdown since its inception was -16.05%, which is greater than IAGG's maximum drawdown of -13.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGIT and IAGG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGIT | IAGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.05% | -13.88% | -2.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.83% | -2.32% | -0.51% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.34% | -2.32% | -2.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.02% | -13.57% | -1.45% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.05% | -13.88% | -2.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.71% | -1.18% | -1.53% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.52% | -2.84% | -0.68% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.97% | 0.78% | +0.19% |
Volatility
VGIT vs. IAGG - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) and iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) have volatilities of 1.05% and 1.09%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGIT | IAGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.05% | 1.09% | -0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.36% | 2.41% | -0.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.32% | 2.84% | +0.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.38% | 4.51% | +0.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.50% | 4.05% | +0.45% |
VGIT vs. IAGG - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGIT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than IAGG's 0.07% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VGIT vs. IAGG - Dividend Comparison
VGIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.88%, more than IAGG's 3.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAGG iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF | 3.67% | 3.08% | 4.28% | 3.55% | 2.27% | 1.16% | 1.95% | 2.82% | 3.02% | 1.74% | 1.56% | 0.13% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 3.88% | 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
VGIT and IAGG have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IAGG has higher volatility (1.09%) compared to VGIT (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGIT dropped -16.05% vs IAGG's -13.88%.
On 10-year performance, IAGG leads with 2.12% vs 1.16% for VGIT. On fees, VGIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IAGG has performed better with a 2.12% return vs 1.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IAGG.
VGIT has the higher dividend yield at 3.88%, compared with 3.67% for IAGG.
VGIT is categorized as Government Bonds, while IAGG is Global Bonds. VGIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while IAGG tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGIT and 0.07% for IAGG.
VGIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.80), 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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