VGLT vs. IBTE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and IBTE (iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - VGLT tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index while IBTE tracks the ICE 2024 Maturity US Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IBTE.

Performance

VGLT vs. IBTE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF (IBTE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VGLT

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: -0.41%
• 6M: -1.68%
• 1Y: 5.25%
• 3Y*: -0.72%
• 5Y*: -5.30%
• 10Y*: -1.10%

IBTE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VGLT vs. IBTE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF	-1.00%
IBTE iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF	0.00%

Return for Risk

VGLT vs. IBTE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VGLT

VGLT Risk / Return Rank: 18
VGLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VGLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VGLT Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VGLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VGLT Martin Ratio Rank: 18

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VGLT vs. IBTE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF (IBTE). 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.

	VGLT	IBTE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.75	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.96	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGLT	IBTE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.37	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.08	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	—	—

Drawdowns

VGLT vs. IBTE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, which is greater than IBTE's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and IBTE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGLT	IBTE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.18%	0.00%	-46.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.68%	—	—
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	-36.83%	0.00%	-36.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.06%	0.00%	-15.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VGLT	IBTE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.59%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.94%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.88%	0.00%	+8.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.58%	0.00%	+14.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.81%	0.00%	+13.81%

VGLT vs. IBTE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than IBTE's 0.07% 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. IBTE - Dividend Comparison

VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, while IBTE has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBTE iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Treasury ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF	4.61%	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

Which ETF is better, VGLT or IBTE?

On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGLT or IBTE?

VGLT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IBTE.

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

VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.61%, compared with 0.00% for IBTE.

What is the main difference between VGLT and IBTE?

VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while IBTE tracks ICE 2024 Maturity US Treasury Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGLT and 0.07% for IBTE.