VGLT vs. VCIT
VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and VCIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while VCIT is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGLT returned -1.28%/yr vs 2.85%/yr for VCIT. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.
Performance
VGLT vs. VCIT - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGLT achieves a -1.16% return, which is significantly lower than VCIT's -0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, VGLT has underperformed VCIT with an annualized return of -1.28%, while VCIT has yielded a comparatively higher 2.85% annualized return.
VGLT
- 1D
- -0.40%
- 1M
- -1.25%
- YTD
- -1.16%
- 6M
- -1.18%
- 1Y
- 4.15%
- 3Y*
- -0.94%
- 5Y*
- -5.66%
- 10Y*
- -1.28%
VCIT
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- -0.79%
- YTD
- -0.26%
- 6M
- 0.06%
- 1Y
- 5.98%
- 3Y*
- 6.04%
- 5Y*
- 1.04%
- 10Y*
- 2.85%
VGLT vs. VCIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | -1.16% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | 14.30% | -1.54% | 8.64% |
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | -0.26% | 9.34% | 3.20% | 8.98% | -13.98% | -1.77% | 9.46% | 14.10% | -1.74% | 5.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGLT and VCIT is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.75 |
The correlation between VGLT and VCIT shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (all time) to 0.89 (3 years), 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. VCIT — Risk / Return Rank
VGLT
VCIT
VGLT vs. VCIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT). 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 | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.43 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.08 | 1.26 | -0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.60 | 2.03 | -1.43 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.53 | 6.67 | -5.14 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VGLT | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.48 | 1.48 | -1.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.39 | 0.16 | -0.55 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.09 | 0.46 | -0.55 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.18 | 0.75 | -0.57 |
Drawdowns
VGLT vs. VCIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, which is greater than VCIT's maximum drawdown of -20.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and VCIT.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VGLT | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.18% | -20.56% | -25.62% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | -2.96% | -4.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.68% | -6.11% | -11.57% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.98% | -20.56% | -20.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.18% | -20.56% | -25.62% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -37.30% | -1.79% | -35.51% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.08% | -3.16% | -11.92% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.72% | 0.90% | +1.82% |
Volatility
VGLT vs. VCIT - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) has a higher volatility of 2.50% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) at 1.39%. This indicates that VGLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VCIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VGLT | VCIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.50% | 1.39% | +1.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.96% | 3.10% | +2.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.71% | 4.07% | +4.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.57% | 6.61% | +7.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.82% | 6.28% | +7.54% |
VGLT vs. VCIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VGLT and VCIT have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VGLT vs. VCIT - Dividend Comparison
VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.64%, less than VCIT's 4.82% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VCIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.82% | 4.62% | 4.43% | 3.72% | 3.03% | 2.87% | 2.78% | 3.37% | 3.61% | 3.21% | 3.29% | 3.34% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 4.64% | 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 VCIT have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VGLT has higher volatility (2.50%) compared to VCIT (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs VCIT's -20.56%.
On 10-year performance, VCIT leads with 2.85% vs -1.28% for VGLT. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VCIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VCIT has performed better with a 2.85% return vs -1.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGLT and VCIT have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.
VCIT has the higher dividend yield at 4.82%, compared with 4.64% for VGLT.
VGLT is categorized as Government Bonds, while VCIT is Corporate Bonds. VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while VCIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. 5-10 Year Corporate Bond Index.
VCIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 0.48), 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 VCIT
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