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VGLT vs. UGA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VGLT vs. UGA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - VGLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGLT returned -1.06%/yr vs 14.46%/yr for UGA. At a correlation of -0.19, they often move in opposite directions. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.

Performance

VGLT vs. UGA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGLT achieves a -0.01% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 75.83% return. Over the past 10 years, VGLT has underperformed UGA with an annualized return of -1.06%, while UGA has yielded a comparatively higher 14.46% annualized return.

VGLT

1D
0.24%
1M
0.43%
YTD
-0.01%
6M
-1.04%
1Y
5.54%
3Y*
-0.59%
5Y*
-4.98%
10Y*
-1.06%

UGA

1D
1.74%
1M
-8.95%
YTD
75.83%
6M
64.53%
1Y
82.09%
3Y*
22.29%
5Y*
25.18%
10Y*
14.46%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VGLT vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VGLT
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF		-0.01%5.35%-6.28%3.27%-29.34%-4.98%17.57%14.30%-1.54%8.64%
UGA
United States Gasoline Fund LP		75.83%-2.00%3.77%1.27%46.34%68.49%-24.88%41.25%-28.07%1.69%

Correlation

The correlation between VGLT and UGA is -0.40, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.40

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.20

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.17

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.17

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2009

-0.19

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between VGLT and UGA has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.19 to -0.40, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF

United States Gasoline Fund LP

Often compared with VGLT:
VGLT vs. TLTVGLT vs. VGITVGLT vs. EDVVGLT vs. BNDVGLT vs. VCLTVGLT vs. BLVVGLT vs. SPTL
Often compared with UGA:
UGA vs. URAUGA vs. FCGUGA vs. QQQUGA vs. VOOUGA vs. USOUGA vs. SPYUGA vs. FNGS

Return for Risk

VGLT vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VGLT
VGLT Risk / Return Rank: 1818
Overall Rank
VGLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1919
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 1919
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGLT Omega Ratio Rank: 1818
Omega Ratio Rank
VGLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 1717
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGLT Martin Ratio Rank: 1616
Martin Ratio Rank
UGA
UGA Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
UGA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
UGA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5858
Sortino Ratio Rank
UGA Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
UGA Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
UGA Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
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. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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.

VGLTUGADifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.63

2.35

-1.72

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

0.96

2.78

-1.81

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.11

1.38

-0.27

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

0.65

5.82

-5.17

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

1.72

14.25

-12.53

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGLT vs. UGA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGLT Sharpe Ratio is 0.63, which is lower than the UGA Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGLT and UGA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VGLTUGADifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.63

2.35

-1.72

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.34

0.74

-1.08

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.08

0.39

-0.47

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.19

0.12

+0.07

Drawdowns

VGLT vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and UGA.

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Drawdown Indicators

VGLTUGADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-46.18%

-86.59%

+40.41%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.01%

-14.88%

+7.87%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.68%

-26.68%

+9.00%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-40.98%

-38.11%

-2.87%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-46.18%

-75.89%

+29.71%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-36.57%

-12.18%

-24.39%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.05%

-36.77%

+21.72%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.67%

6.08%

-3.41%

Volatility

VGLT vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is 2.65%, while United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) has a volatility of 12.41%. This indicates that VGLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VGLTUGADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.65%

12.41%

-9.76%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

6.04%

30.41%

-24.37%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

8.92%

35.21%

-26.29%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.58%

34.38%

-19.80%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

13.82%

37.27%

-23.45%

VGLT vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGLT vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison

VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
UGA
United States Gasoline Fund LP		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		4.59%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 UGA have a correlation of -0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

UGA has higher volatility (12.41%) compared to VGLT (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs UGA's -86.59%.

On 10-year performance, UGA leads with 14.46% vs -1.06% for VGLT. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, UGA has performed better with a 14.46% return vs -1.06%. 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 0.75% for UGA.

VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.

VGLT is categorized as Government Bonds, while UGA is Oil & Gas. VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGLT and 0.75% for UGA.

UGA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 0.63), 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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