VGK vs. SGOV
VGK (Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF) and SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGK is a Europe Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index, while SGOV is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VGK returned 8.08%/yr vs 3.55%/yr for SGOV. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. VGK charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SGOV.
Performance
VGK vs. SGOV - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGK achieves a 5.17% return, which is significantly higher than SGOV's 1.56% return.
VGK
- 1D
- 0.45%
- 1M
- -0.68%
- YTD
- 5.17%
- 6M
- 8.47%
- 1Y
- 16.29%
- 3Y*
- 16.24%
- 5Y*
- 8.08%
- 10Y*
- 9.63%
SGOV
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- 0.28%
- YTD
- 1.56%
- 6M
- 1.80%
- 1Y
- 3.95%
- 3Y*
- 4.70%
- 5Y*
- 3.55%
- 10Y*
- —
VGK vs. SGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF | 5.17% | 35.83% | 1.88% | 20.19% | -15.98% | 16.89% | 26.00% |
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | 1.56% | 4.24% | 5.27% | 5.12% | 1.58% | 0.04% | 0.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGK and SGOV is -0.14, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.14 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.04 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2020 | -0.03 |
The correlation between VGK and SGOV shifts across timeframes, from -0.14 (1 year) to -0.01 (5 years), 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.
Return for Risk
VGK vs. SGOV — Risk / Return Rank
VGK
SGOV
VGK vs. SGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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.
| VGK | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -19.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -274.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 195.55 | -194.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.35 | 398.20 | -396.84 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.01 | 4,461.99 | -4,456.98 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VGK | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.05 | 20.28 | -19.22 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.45 | 14.78 | -14.32 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.51 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.28 | 12.50 | -12.23 |
Drawdowns
VGK vs. SGOV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGK drawdown since its inception was -63.61%, which is greater than SGOV's maximum drawdown of -0.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGK and SGOV.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VGK | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -63.61% | -0.03% | -63.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.09% | -0.01% | -12.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.31% | -0.01% | -14.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.74% | -0.03% | -32.71% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.24% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.83% | 0.00% | -2.83% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.34% | -0.00% | -13.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.26% | 0.00% | +3.26% |
Volatility
VGK vs. SGOV - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) has a higher volatility of 4.86% compared to iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) at 0.06%. This indicates that VGK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SGOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VGK | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.86% | 0.06% | +4.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.97% | 0.13% | +12.84% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.57% | 0.20% | +15.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.92% | 0.24% | +17.68% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.97% | 0.24% | +18.73% |
VGK vs. SGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGK has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than SGOV's 0.09% 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
VGK vs. SGOV - Dividend Comparison
VGK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.83%, less than SGOV's 3.85% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | 3.85% | 4.10% | 5.10% | 4.87% | 1.45% | 0.03% | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF | 2.83% | 2.86% | 3.61% | 3.15% | 3.25% | 3.05% | 2.11% | 3.27% | 3.95% | 2.70% | 3.52% | 3.25% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGK and SGOV have a correlation of -0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VGK has higher volatility (4.86%) compared to SGOV (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGK dropped -63.61% vs SGOV's -0.03%.
On 5-year performance, VGK leads with 8.08% vs 3.55% for SGOV. On fees, VGK is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SGOV has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VGK has performed better with a 8.08% return vs 3.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGK is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for SGOV.
SGOV has the higher dividend yield at 3.85%, compared with 2.83% for VGK.
VGK is categorized as Europe Equities, while SGOV is Ultrashort Bond. VGK tracks FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index, while SGOV tracks ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VGK and 0.09% for SGOV.
SGOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (20.28 vs 1.05), 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.
Find the right allocation for VGK and SGOV
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer