VGIT vs. VGVT
VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) and VGVT (Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGIT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while VGVT is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. VGIT is passively managed, while VGVT is actively managed. Over the past year, VGIT returned 3.03% vs 4.00% for VGVT. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VGIT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VGVT.
Performance
VGIT vs. VGVT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGIT achieves a -0.26% return, which is significantly lower than VGVT's 0.18% return.
VGIT
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- -0.24%
- 6M
- -0.26%
- YTD
- -0.26%
- 1Y
- 3.03%
- 3Y*
- 3.56%
- 5Y*
- -0.04%
- 10Y*
- 1.17%
VGVT
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -0.27%
- 6M
- -0.29%
- YTD
- 0.18%
- 1Y
- 4.00%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VGIT vs. VGVT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | -0.26% | 3.33% |
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF | 0.18% | 3.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGIT and VGVT is 0.85, 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 | 0.85 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025 | 0.86 |
The correlation between VGIT and VGVT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VGIT vs. VGVT — Risk / Return Rank
VGIT
VGVT
VGIT vs. VGVT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) and Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT). 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.
| VGIT | VGVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.49 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.22 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.07 | 1.45 | -0.38 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.69 | 3.76 | -1.07 |
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Drawdowns
VGIT vs. VGVT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGIT drawdown since its inception was -16.05%, which is greater than VGVT's maximum drawdown of -2.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGIT and VGVT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGIT | VGVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.05% | -2.77% | -13.28% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.83% | -2.77% | -0.06% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.34% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.02% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.05% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.19% | -1.68% | -0.51% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.51% | -0.78% | -2.73% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.13% | 1.07% | +0.06% |
Volatility
VGIT vs. VGVT - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) has a higher volatility of 1.10% compared to Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) at 0.92%. This indicates that VGIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGVT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGIT | VGVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.10% | 0.92% | +0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.57% | 2.50% | +0.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.37% | 3.23% | +0.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.39% | 3.24% | +2.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.49% | 3.24% | +1.25% |
VGIT vs. VGVT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGIT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VGVT's 0.10% 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. VGVT - Dividend Comparison
VGIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, less than VGVT's 4.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 3.87% | 3.79% | 3.67% | 2.73% | 1.74% | 1.69% | 2.23% | 2.24% | 2.05% | 1.67% | 1.69% | 1.69% |
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF | 4.37% | 2.29% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGIT and VGVT have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VGIT has higher volatility (1.10%) compared to VGVT (0.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGIT dropped -16.05% vs VGVT's -2.77%.
On 1-year performance, VGVT leads with 4.00% vs 3.03% for VGIT. On fees, VGIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGVT has been the lower-risk option at 0.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, VGVT has performed better with a 4.00% return vs 3.03%. 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 0.10% for VGVT.
VGVT has the higher dividend yield at 4.37%, compared with 3.87% for VGIT.
VGIT is categorized as Government Bonds, while VGVT is Intermediate Core Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGIT and 0.10% for VGVT.
VGVT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.91), 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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