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VGIT vs. VB
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VGIT vs. VB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGIT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGIT returned 1.25%/yr vs 11.38%/yr for VB. At a correlation of -0.20, they often move in opposite directions. VGIT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VB.

Performance

VGIT vs. VB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGIT achieves a -0.27% return, which is significantly lower than VB's 14.91% return. Over the past 10 years, VGIT has underperformed VB with an annualized return of 1.25%, while VB has yielded a comparatively higher 11.38% annualized return.

VGIT

1D
0.03%
1M
-0.23%
YTD
-0.27%
6M
-0.28%
1Y
3.64%
3Y*
3.47%
5Y*
0.15%
10Y*
1.25%

VB

1D
0.75%
1M
3.68%
YTD
14.91%
6M
16.03%
1Y
31.39%
3Y*
17.31%
5Y*
7.35%
10Y*
11.38%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VGIT vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VGIT
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF		-0.27%7.34%1.39%4.28%-10.53%-2.64%7.71%6.19%1.35%1.70%
VB
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF		14.91%8.87%14.17%18.22%-17.51%17.57%19.19%27.34%-9.34%16.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VGIT and VB is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.23

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

0.18

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

0.09

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

-0.09

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009

-0.20

The correlation between VGIT and VB shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (all time) to 0.23 (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.

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF

Vanguard Small-Cap ETF

Often compared with VGIT:
VGIT vs. BNDVGIT vs. IEFVGIT vs. VGLTVGIT vs. VTIPVGIT vs. GOVTVGIT vs. SCHRVGIT vs. VGsh
Often compared with VB:
VB vs. VBRVB vs. IJRVB vs. VBKVB vs. VOOVB vs. SCHAVB vs. VTWOVB vs. FSSNX

Return for Risk

VGIT vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VGIT
VGIT Risk / Return Rank: 2828
Overall Rank
VGIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3030
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 3030
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2828
Omega Ratio Rank
VGIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2525
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
Martin Ratio Rank
VB
VB Risk / Return Rank: 6161
Overall Rank
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 5454
Omega Ratio Rank
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
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.

VGIT vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.

VGITVBDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.08

1.94

-0.85

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.65

2.75

-1.11

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.19

1.34

-0.15

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.20

3.48

-2.27

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

3.64

12.82

-9.18

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

VGIT vs. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is lower than the VB Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGIT and VB, 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

VGITVBDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.08

1.94

-0.85

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.03

0.36

-0.33

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.28

0.53

-0.25

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.50

0.44

+0.06

Drawdowns

VGIT vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGIT drawdown since its inception was -16.05%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGIT and VB.

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Drawdown Indicators

VGITVBDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-16.05%

-59.56%

+43.51%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.83%

-8.98%

+6.15%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-4.34%

-25.36%

+21.02%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.02%

-28.15%

+13.13%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-16.05%

-42.05%

+26.00%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.21%

0.00%

-2.21%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.52%

-8.44%

+4.92%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.93%

2.43%

-1.50%

Volatility

VGIT vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) is 1.06%, while Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) has a volatility of 4.40%. This indicates that VGIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VGITVBDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.06%

4.40%

-3.34%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.35%

11.73%

-9.38%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.38%

16.27%

-12.89%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

5.38%

20.75%

-15.37%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

4.50%

21.43%

-16.93%

VGIT vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGIT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VB's 0.05% 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. VB - Dividend Comparison

VGIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, more than VB's 1.19% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VB
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF		1.19%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		3.86%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 VB have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VB has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to VGIT (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGIT dropped -16.05% vs VB's -59.56%.

On 10-year performance, VB leads with 11.38% vs 1.25% for VGIT. On fees, VGIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.06%. 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 11.38% return vs 1.25%. 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 0.05% for VB.

VGIT has the higher dividend yield at 3.86%, compared with 1.19% for VB.

VGIT is categorized as Government Bonds, while VB is Small Cap Blend Equities. VGIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while VB tracks CRSP US Small Cap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGIT and 0.05% for VB.

VB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.08), 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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