VGLT vs. IWN
VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and IWN (iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while IWN is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGLT returned -1.21%/yr vs 10.58%/yr for IWN. At a correlation of -0.24, they often move in opposite directions. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for IWN.
Performance
VGLT vs. IWN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGLT achieves a 0.03% return, which is significantly lower than IWN's 20.82% return. Over the past 10 years, VGLT has underperformed IWN with an annualized return of -1.21%, while IWN has yielded a comparatively higher 10.58% annualized return.
VGLT
- 1D
- -0.27%
- 1M
- 2.62%
- YTD
- 0.03%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 4.27%
- 3Y*
- -0.30%
- 5Y*
- -5.52%
- 10Y*
- -1.21%
IWN
- 1D
- 1.17%
- 1M
- 6.00%
- YTD
- 20.82%
- 6M
- 17.48%
- 1Y
- 44.79%
- 3Y*
- 17.41%
- 5Y*
- 6.89%
- 10Y*
- 10.58%
VGLT vs. IWN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 0.03% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | 14.30% | -1.54% | 8.64% |
IWN iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF | 20.82% | 12.40% | 7.63% | 14.56% | -14.77% | 27.96% | 4.66% | 22.01% | -13.01% | 7.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGLT and IWN is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | -0.24 |
The correlation between VGLT and IWN shifts across timeframes, from -0.24 (all time) to 0.27 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VGLT vs. IWN — Risk / Return Rank
VGLT
IWN
VGLT vs. IWN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN). 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 | IWN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.97 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.66 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.07 | 1.40 | -0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.47 | 5.02 | -4.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.19 | 16.91 | -15.72 |
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Drawdowns
VGLT vs. IWN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, smaller than the maximum IWN drawdown of -61.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and IWN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGLT | IWN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.18% | -61.55% | +15.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | -8.45% | +1.44% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.68% | -26.70% | +9.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.98% | -26.70% | -14.28% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.18% | -46.08% | -0.10% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -36.55% | 0.00% | -36.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.09% | -10.15% | -4.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.78% | 2.51% | +0.27% |
Volatility
VGLT vs. IWN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is 2.69%, while iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) has a volatility of 5.80%. This indicates that VGLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGLT | IWN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.69% | 5.80% | -3.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.09% | 12.25% | -6.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.78% | 18.09% | -9.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.57% | 21.47% | -6.90% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.82% | 23.41% | -9.59% |
VGLT vs. IWN - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than IWN's 0.24% 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. IWN - Dividend Comparison
VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than IWN's 1.42% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IWN iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF | 1.42% | 1.70% | 1.80% | 2.04% | 2.12% | 1.48% | 1.60% | 1.92% | 1.99% | 1.78% | 1.74% | 2.15% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 4.59% | 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 IWN have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IWN has higher volatility (5.80%) compared to VGLT (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs IWN's -61.55%.
On 10-year performance, IWN leads with 10.58% vs -1.21% for VGLT. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IWN has performed better with a 10.58% return vs -1.21%. 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 0.24% for IWN.
VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 1.42% for IWN.
VGLT is categorized as Government Bonds, while IWN is Small Cap Value Equities. VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while IWN tracks Russell 2000 Value Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGLT and 0.24% for IWN.
IWN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 0.38), 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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