VGLT vs. GBIL
VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and GBIL (Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - VGLT tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index while GBIL tracks the FTSE US Treasury 0-1 Year Composite Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VGLT returned -6.65%/yr vs 3.44%/yr for GBIL. Their 0.15 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for GBIL.
Performance
VGLT vs. GBIL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGLT achieves a -1.98% return, which is significantly lower than GBIL's 2.03% 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%
GBIL
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.30%
- 6M
- 1.72%
- YTD
- 2.03%
- 1Y
- 3.76%
- 3Y*
- 4.55%
- 5Y*
- 3.44%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 2.30%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $56.87M | $51.96M | $68.61M | |
| $107.06M | $103.64M | $108.85M |
VGLT vs. GBIL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | -1.98% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | 14.30% | -1.54% | 8.64% |
GBIL Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF | 2.03% | 4.12% | 5.24% | 4.91% | 1.05% | -0.08% | 0.79% | 2.31% | 1.78% | 0.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGLT and GBIL is 0.13, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.17 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.19 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 8, 2016 | 0.15 |
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Return for Risk
VGLT vs. GBIL — Risk / Return Rank
VGLT
GBIL
VGLT vs. GBIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF (GBIL). 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 | GBIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -18.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -151.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 93.38 | -92.39 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.13 | 188.95 | -189.07 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.27 | 2,263.03 | -2,263.31 |
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Drawdowns
VGLT vs. GBIL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, which is greater than GBIL's maximum drawdown of -0.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and GBIL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGLT | GBIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.18% | -0.76% | -45.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.03% | -0.02% | -7.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.38% | -0.76% | -12.62% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.98% | -0.76% | -40.22% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.18% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -37.83% | 0.00% | -37.83% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.28% | -0.04% | -15.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.26% | 0.00% | +3.26% |
Volatility
VGLT vs. GBIL - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) has a higher volatility of 2.32% compared to Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF (GBIL) at 0.06%. This indicates that VGLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GBIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGLT | GBIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.32% | 0.06% | +2.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.36% | 0.14% | +6.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.41% | 0.21% | +8.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.46% | 0.58% | +13.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.74% | 0.47% | +13.27% |
VGLT vs. GBIL - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than GBIL's 0.12% 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
VGLT vs. GBIL - Dividend Comparison
VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, more than GBIL's 3.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBIL Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF | 3.67% | 4.02% | 4.93% | 4.77% | 1.37% | 0.00% | 0.81% | 2.20% | 1.70% | 0.74% | 0.11% | 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
VGLT and GBIL have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VGLT has higher volatility (2.32%) compared to GBIL (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs GBIL's -0.76%.
On 5-year performance, GBIL leads with 3.44% vs -6.65% for VGLT. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, GBIL 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, GBIL has performed better with a 3.44% return vs -6.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGLT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for GBIL.
VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.74%, compared with 3.67% for GBIL.
VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while GBIL tracks FTSE US Treasury 0-1 Year Composite Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Goldman Sachs. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGLT and 0.12% for GBIL.
GBIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (18.16 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.
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