VGLT vs. TLT
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT).
VGLT and TLT are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VGLT is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the Barclays U.S. Long Government Float Adjusted Index. It was launched on Nov 19, 2009. TLT is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Barclays Capital U.S. 20+ Year Treasury Bond Index. It was launched on Jul 26, 2002. Both VGLT and TLT are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: VGLT or TLT.
Key characteristics
| VGLT | TLT | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -9.34% | -10.36% |
| 1Y Return | -12.39% | -13.98% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -11.07% | -12.12% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | -3.82% | -4.50% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 0.37% | 0.10% |
| Sharpe Ratio | -0.84 | -0.87 |
| Daily Std Dev | 15.68% | 17.18% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.18% | -48.35% |
| Current Drawdown | -41.76% | -44.14% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGLT and TLT is 0.98, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
VGLT vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, VGLT achieves a -9.34% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -10.36% return. Over the past 10 years, VGLT has outperformed TLT with an annualized return of 0.37%, while TLT has yielded a comparatively lower 0.10% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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VGLT vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGLT has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than TLT's 0.15% 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%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
VGLT vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.
Dividends
VGLT vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, less than TLT's 3.95% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 3.86% | 3.33% | 2.84% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.46% | 2.71% | 2.55% | 2.69% | 3.21% | 2.75% | 3.19% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 3.95% | 3.38% | 2.67% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 2.27% | 2.63% | 2.43% | 2.60% | 2.61% | 2.67% | 3.26% |
Drawdowns
VGLT vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, roughly equal to the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and TLT. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
VGLT vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is 3.93%, while iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has a volatility of 4.24%. This indicates that VGLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.