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. Their correlation of 0.85 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 0.02% return, which is significantly lower than VGVT's 0.62% return.
VGIT
- 1D
- 0.41%
- 1M
- 0.79%
- YTD
- 0.02%
- 6M
- 0.02%
- 1Y
- 2.90%
- 3Y*
- 3.70%
- 5Y*
- 0.21%
- 10Y*
- 1.18%
VGVT
- 1D
- 0.33%
- 1M
- 0.91%
- YTD
- 0.62%
- 6M
- 0.62%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VGIT vs. VGVT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 0.02% | 3.33% |
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF | 0.62% | 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025 | 0.86 |
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Return for Risk
VGIT vs. VGVT — Risk / Return Rank
VGIT
VGVT
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
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 | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.03 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.75 | — | — |
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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% | — | — |
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 | -1.92% | -1.25% | -0.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.51% | -0.73% | -2.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.05% | — | — |
Volatility
VGIT vs. VGVT - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| VGIT | VGVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.17% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.50% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.39% | 3.25% | +0.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.39% | 3.25% | +2.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.50% | 3.25% | +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 3.85%, less than VGVT's 3.97% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 3.85% | 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 | 3.97% | 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.
On fees, VGIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VGIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VGVT.
VGVT has the higher dividend yield at 3.97%, compared with 3.85% 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.
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