VGIT vs. VGLT
VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) and VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds from Vanguard - VGIT tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index while VGLT tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGIT returned 1.21%/yr vs -1.11%/yr for VGLT. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VGIT vs. VGLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VGIT having a -0.73% return and VGLT slightly lower at -0.75%. Over the past 10 years, VGIT has outperformed VGLT with an annualized return of 1.21%, while VGLT has yielded a comparatively lower -1.11% annualized return.
VGIT
- 1D
- -0.41%
- 1M
- -0.67%
- YTD
- -0.73%
- 6M
- -0.51%
- 1Y
- 3.61%
- 3Y*
- 3.31%
- 5Y*
- -0.01%
- 10Y*
- 1.21%
VGLT
- 1D
- -0.59%
- 1M
- -0.43%
- YTD
- -0.75%
- 6M
- -1.12%
- 1Y
- 4.58%
- 3Y*
- -0.93%
- 5Y*
- -5.37%
- 10Y*
- -1.11%
VGIT vs. VGLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | -0.73% | 7.34% | 1.39% | 4.28% | -10.53% | -2.64% | 7.71% | 6.19% | 1.35% | 1.70% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | -0.75% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | 14.30% | -1.54% | 8.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGIT and VGLT is 0.86, 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 | 0.86 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2009 | 0.84 |
The correlation between VGIT and VGLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VGIT vs. VGLT — Risk / Return Rank
VGIT
VGLT
VGIT vs. VGLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) 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.
| VGIT | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.75 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.07 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.07 | 0.47 | +0.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.14 | 1.22 | +1.92 |
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 | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.90 | 0.38 | +0.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.00 | -0.37 | +0.37 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 | -0.08 | +0.35 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.49 | 0.18 | +0.31 |
Drawdowns
VGIT vs. VGLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGIT drawdown since its inception was -16.05%, smaller than the maximum VGLT drawdown of -46.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGIT and VGLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGIT | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.05% | -46.18% | +30.13% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.83% | -7.01% | +4.18% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.34% | -17.68% | +13.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.02% | -40.98% | +25.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.05% | -46.18% | +30.13% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.66% | -37.05% | +34.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.52% | -15.07% | +11.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.96% | 2.71% | -1.75% |
Volatility
VGIT vs. VGLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) is 1.06%, while Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) has a volatility of 2.50%. This indicates that VGIT 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
| VGIT | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.06% | 2.50% | -1.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.37% | 5.97% | -3.60% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.38% | 8.77% | -5.39% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.38% | 14.56% | -9.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.50% | 13.81% | -9.31% |
VGIT vs. VGLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VGIT 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
VGIT vs. VGLT - Dividend Comparison
VGIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.88%, less than VGLT's 4.63% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 4.63% | 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
VGIT and VGLT have a correlation of 0.86, 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 VGIT (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGIT dropped -16.05% vs VGLT's -46.18%.
On 10-year performance, VGIT leads with 1.21% vs -1.11% for VGLT. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. 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, VGIT has performed better with a 1.21% return vs -1.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGIT and VGLT have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.63%, compared with 3.88% for VGIT.
VGIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index.
VGIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.90 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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