VGLT vs. IBTF
VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and IBTF (iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - VGLT tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index while IBTF tracks the ICE 2025 Maturity US Treasury Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VGLT returned -6.65%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for IBTF. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IBTF.
Performance
VGLT vs. IBTF - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
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%
IBTF
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.00%
- 6M
- 0.00%
- YTD
- 0.00%
- 1Y
- 1.37%
- 3Y*
- 3.64%
- 5Y*
- 0.86%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 1.11%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $107.06M | $103.64M | $108.85M |
VGLT vs. IBTF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | -1.98% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 5.04% |
IBTF iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Treasury ETF | 0.00% | 3.81% | 4.60% | 4.12% | -6.39% | -2.31% | 3.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGLT and IBTF is -0.09, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.09 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.27 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.50 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2020 | 0.53 |
The correlation between VGLT and IBTF shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.53 (all time), 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
VGLT vs. IBTF — Risk / Return Rank
VGLT
IBTF
VGLT vs. IBTF - 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 2025 Term Treasury ETF (IBTF). 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 | IBTF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -5.86 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -19.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 6.85 | -5.86 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.13 | 38.13 | -38.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.27 | 247.15 | -247.42 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VGLT vs. IBTF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, which is greater than IBTF's maximum drawdown of -10.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and IBTF.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VGLT | IBTF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.18% | -10.45% | -35.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.03% | -0.04% | -6.99% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.38% | -0.43% | -12.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.98% | -9.28% | -31.70% |
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% | -3.23% | -12.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.26% | 0.01% | +3.25% |
Volatility
VGLT vs. IBTF - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) has a higher volatility of 2.32% compared to iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Treasury ETF (IBTF) at 0.00%. This indicates that VGLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBTF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VGLT | IBTF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.32% | 0.00% | +2.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.36% | 0.04% | +6.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.41% | 0.28% | +8.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.46% | 2.35% | +12.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.74% | 2.52% | +11.22% |
VGLT vs. IBTF - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than IBTF'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. IBTF - Dividend Comparison
VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, more than IBTF's 1.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBTF iShares iBonds Dec 2025 Term Treasury ETF | 1.37% | 3.83% | 4.32% | 4.03% | 1.93% | 0.57% | 0.59% | 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
VGLT and IBTF have a correlation of -0.09, 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 IBTF (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs IBTF's -10.45%.
On 5-year performance, IBTF leads with 0.86% vs -6.65% for VGLT. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IBTF has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IBTF has performed better with a 0.86% 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 0.07% for IBTF.
VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.74%, compared with 1.37% for IBTF.
VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while IBTF tracks ICE 2025 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 IBTF.
IBTF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.75 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.
Find the right allocation for VGLT and IBTF
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