VGLT vs. BUCK

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and BUCK (Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. VGLT is passively managed, while BUCK is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VGLT returned 0.27%/yr vs 5.16%/yr for BUCK. Their 0.15 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BUCK.

Performance

VGLT vs. BUCK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGLT achieves a -1.98% return, which is significantly lower than BUCK's 2.36% return.

VGLT

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: -2.13%
• 6M: -1.56%
• YTD: -1.98%
• 1Y: -0.89%
• 3Y*: 0.27%
• 5Y*: -6.65%
• 10Y*: -1.63%
• ALL TIME*: 2.34%

BUCK

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.13%
• 6M: 1.69%
• YTD: 2.36%
• 1Y: 5.11%
• 3Y*: 5.16%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.03%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUCK Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF	$4.44M	$3.97M	$4.09M
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF	$107.06M	$103.64M	$108.85M

VGLT vs. BUCK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF	-1.98%	5.35%	-6.28%	3.27%	2.99%
BUCK Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF	2.36%	4.13%	7.25%	4.63%	0.59%

Correlation

The correlation between VGLT and BUCK is 0.16, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2022	0.15

Return for Risk

VGLT vs. BUCK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VGLT

VGLT Risk / Return Rank: 8
VGLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VGLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VGLT Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VGLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VGLT Martin Ratio Rank: 8

BUCK

BUCK Risk / Return Rank: 88
BUCK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
BUCK Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
BUCK Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BUCK Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BUCK Martin Ratio Rank: 97

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VGLT vs. BUCK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK). 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.

	VGLT	BUCK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.11	2.08	-2.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.09	2.97	-3.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.43	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.13	6.14	-6.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.27	28.96	-29.23

VGLT vs. BUCK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGLT Sharpe Ratio is -0.11, which is lower than the BUCK Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGLT and BUCK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VGLT vs. BUCK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, which is greater than BUCK's maximum drawdown of -5.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and BUCK.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGLT	BUCK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.18%	-5.43%	-40.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.03%	-0.84%	-6.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.38%	-5.43%	-7.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.98%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.18%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.83%	-0.23%	-37.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.28%	-0.47%	-14.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.26%	0.18%	+3.08%

Volatility

VGLT vs. BUCK - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) has a higher volatility of 2.32% compared to Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF (BUCK) at 0.45%. This indicates that VGLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUCK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGLT	BUCK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.32%	0.45%	+1.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.36%	1.23%	+5.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.41%	2.47%	+5.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.46%	3.42%	+11.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.74%	3.42%	+10.32%

VGLT vs. BUCK - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than BUCK's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGLT vs. BUCK - Dividend Comparison

VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, less than BUCK's 7.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUCK Simplify Treasury Option Income ETF	7.20%	7.59%	8.84%	4.84%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF	4.74%	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

Can I hold both VGLT and BUCK in my portfolio?

VGLT and BUCK have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGLT or BUCK?

VGLT has higher volatility (2.32%) compared to BUCK (0.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs BUCK's -5.43%.

Which ETF is better, VGLT or BUCK?

On 3-year performance, BUCK leads with 5.16% vs 0.27% for VGLT. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BUCK has been the lower-risk option at 0.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VGLT or BUCK?

Over the 3-year period, BUCK has performed better with a 5.16% return vs 0.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGLT or BUCK?

VGLT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BUCK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VGLT or BUCK?

BUCK has the higher dividend yield at 7.20%, compared with 4.74% for VGLT.

What is the main difference between VGLT and BUCK?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGLT and 0.35% for BUCK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUCK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs -0.11), 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.