VGLT vs. XLE
VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGLT returned -1.21%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for XLE. At a correlation of -0.30, they often move in opposite directions. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.
Performance
VGLT vs. XLE - 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 XLE's 29.56% return. Over the past 10 years, VGLT has underperformed XLE with an annualized return of -1.21%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively higher 9.91% annualized return.
VGLT
- 1D
- -0.27%
- 1M
- 1.30%
- YTD
- 0.03%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 3.29%
- 3Y*
- -0.30%
- 5Y*
- -5.52%
- 10Y*
- -1.21%
XLE
- 1D
- 0.75%
- 1M
- -0.14%
- YTD
- 29.56%
- 6M
- 28.37%
- 1Y
- 37.19%
- 3Y*
- 16.18%
- 5Y*
- 20.12%
- 10Y*
- 9.91%
VGLT vs. XLE - 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% |
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 29.56% | 7.88% | 5.56% | -0.63% | 64.32% | 53.28% | -32.67% | 11.74% | -18.22% | -0.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGLT and XLE is -0.23, 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 | -0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.07 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.15 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | -0.30 |
The correlation between VGLT and XLE shifts across timeframes, from -0.30 (all time) to -0.07 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VGLT vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank
VGLT
XLE
VGLT vs. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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 | XLE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.44 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.79 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.07 | 1.30 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.47 | 3.10 | -2.63 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.19 | 8.63 | -7.44 |
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Drawdowns
VGLT vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and XLE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGLT | XLE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.18% | -71.26% | +25.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | -12.05% | +5.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.68% | -20.14% | +2.46% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.98% | -26.04% | -14.94% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.18% | -66.81% | +20.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -36.55% | -8.01% | -28.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.09% | -17.97% | +2.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.78% | 4.32% | -1.54% |
Volatility
VGLT vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is 2.69%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 7.26%. This indicates that VGLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGLT | XLE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.69% | 7.26% | -4.57% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.09% | 16.79% | -10.70% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.78% | 20.57% | -11.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.57% | 26.05% | -11.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.82% | 29.58% | -15.76% |
VGLT vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than XLE's 0.08% 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. XLE - Dividend Comparison
VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than XLE's 2.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 2.59% | 3.28% | 3.36% | 3.55% | 3.68% | 4.21% | 5.62% | 6.72% | 3.54% | 3.03% | 2.26% | 3.39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGLT and XLE have a correlation of -0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XLE has higher volatility (7.26%) compared to VGLT (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs XLE's -71.26%.
On 10-year performance, XLE leads with 9.91% 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, XLE has performed better with a 9.91% 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 0.08% for XLE.
VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 2.59% for XLE.
VGLT is categorized as Government Bonds, while XLE is Energy Equities. VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGLT and 0.08% for XLE.
XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 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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