VGLT vs. VYM
VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGLT returned -1.10%/yr vs 11.90%/yr for VYM. At a correlation of -0.26, they often move in opposite directions. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.
Performance
VGLT vs. VYM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGLT achieves a -0.41% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 12.47% return. Over the past 10 years, VGLT has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of -1.10%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.90% annualized return.
VGLT
- 1D
- -0.40%
- 1M
- 0.71%
- YTD
- -0.41%
- 6M
- -1.68%
- 1Y
- 5.25%
- 3Y*
- -0.72%
- 5Y*
- -5.30%
- 10Y*
- -1.10%
VYM
- 1D
- -0.43%
- 1M
- 3.38%
- YTD
- 12.47%
- 6M
- 12.01%
- 1Y
- 26.16%
- 3Y*
- 18.88%
- 5Y*
- 11.48%
- 10Y*
- 11.90%
VGLT vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | -0.41% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | 14.30% | -1.54% | 8.64% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 12.47% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 16.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGLT and VYM is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2009 | -0.26 |
The correlation between VGLT and VYM shifts across timeframes, from -0.26 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VGLT vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
VGLT
VYM
VGLT vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.97 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.73 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.46 | -0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.75 | 3.93 | -3.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.96 | 14.76 | -12.79 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VGLT | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.59 | 2.56 | -1.97 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.37 | 0.83 | -1.19 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.08 | 0.73 | -0.81 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.19 | 0.51 | -0.32 |
Drawdowns
VGLT vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and VYM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGLT | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.18% | -56.98% | +10.80% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | -6.69% | -0.32% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.68% | -14.46% | -3.22% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.98% | -15.84% | -25.14% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.18% | -35.21% | -10.97% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -36.83% | -0.43% | -36.40% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.06% | -7.19% | -7.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.68% | 1.78% | +0.90% |
Volatility
VGLT vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is 2.59%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 2.77%. This indicates that VGLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGLT | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.59% | 2.77% | -0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.94% | 7.67% | -1.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.88% | 10.28% | -1.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.58% | 13.96% | +0.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.81% | 16.34% | -2.53% |
VGLT vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VYM's 0.04% 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. VYM - Dividend Comparison
VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, more than VYM's 2.19% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 4.61% | 4.44% | 4.33% | 3.33% | 2.84% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.46% | 2.71% | 2.55% | 2.69% | 3.21% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.19% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGLT and VYM have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VYM has higher volatility (2.77%) compared to VGLT (2.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs VYM's -56.98%.
On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.90% vs -1.10% for VGLT. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.90% return vs -1.10%. 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 0.04% for VYM.
VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.61%, compared with 2.19% for VYM.
VGLT is categorized as Government Bonds, while VYM is Dividend. VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGLT and 0.04% for VYM.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 0.59), 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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