VGOV.L vs. VUSA.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VGOV.L (Vanguard UK Gilt UCITS ETF Distributing) and VUSA.L (Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGOV.L is a European Government Bonds fund tracking the FTSE Act UK Cnvt Gilts All Stocks TR GBP, while VUSA.L is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGOV.L returned -1.29%/yr vs 16.07%/yr for VUSA.L. At a correlation of -0.07, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.07% expense ratio.

Performance

VGOV.L vs. VUSA.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Vanguard UK Gilt UCITS ETF Distributing (VGOV.L) and Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUSA.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGOV.L achieves a -1.28% return, which is significantly lower than VUSA.L's 10.52% return. Over the past 10 years, VGOV.L has underperformed VUSA.L with an annualized return of -1.29%, while VUSA.L has yielded a comparatively higher 16.07% annualized return.

VGOV.L

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 1.61%
• YTD: -1.28%
• 6M: -1.26%
• 1Y: 2.08%
• 3Y*: 2.10%
• 5Y*: -5.33%
• 10Y*: -1.29%

VUSA.L

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 5.52%
• YTD: 10.52%
• 6M: 10.48%
• 1Y: 29.10%
• 3Y*: 19.01%
• 5Y*: 14.94%
• 10Y*: 16.07%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VGOV.L vs. VUSA.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGOV.L Vanguard UK Gilt UCITS ETF Distributing	-1.28%	4.78%	-4.30%	3.32%	-27.01%	-5.37%	9.32%	7.65%	0.35%	1.90%
VUSA.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF	10.52%	9.39%	27.33%	19.81%	-9.02%	30.98%	13.66%	26.54%	-0.12%	10.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VGOV.L and VUSA.L is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2012	-0.07

The correlation between VGOV.L and VUSA.L shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (all time) to 0.18 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VGOV.L vs. VUSA.L — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VGOV.L

VGOV.L Risk / Return Rank: 13
VGOV.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
VGOV.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
VGOV.L Omega Ratio Rank: 13
VGOV.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
VGOV.L Martin Ratio Rank: 14

VUSA.L

VUSA.L Risk / Return Rank: 82
VUSA.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VUSA.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VUSA.L Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VUSA.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VUSA.L Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VGOV.L vs. VUSA.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard UK Gilt UCITS ETF Distributing (VGOV.L) and Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUSA.L). 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.

	VGOV.L	VUSA.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.32	2.74	-2.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.48	3.68	-3.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.51	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.36	4.08	-3.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.96	15.02	-14.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGOV.L vs. VUSA.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGOV.L Sharpe Ratio is 0.32, which is lower than the VUSA.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGOV.L and VUSA.L, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGOV.L	VUSA.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32	2.74	-2.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.47	1.04	-1.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.13	1.03	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.03	1.06	-1.03

Drawdowns

VGOV.L vs. VUSA.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGOV.L drawdown since its inception was -39.28%, which is greater than VUSA.L's maximum drawdown of -25.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGOV.L and VUSA.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGOV.L	VUSA.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.28%	-25.47%	-13.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.74%	-7.11%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.98%	-20.94%	+12.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.38%	-20.94%	-16.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.28%	-25.47%	-13.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.74%	-0.23%	-30.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.39%	-3.19%	-9.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	1.93%	+0.23%

Volatility

VGOV.L vs. VUSA.L - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard UK Gilt UCITS ETF Distributing (VGOV.L) and Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUSA.L) have volatilities of 2.69% and 2.63%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGOV.L	VUSA.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.69%	2.63%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.24%	7.12%	-1.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.47%	10.58%	-4.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.44%	14.29%	-2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.15%	15.64%	-5.49%

VGOV.L vs. VUSA.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VGOV.L and VUSA.L have an expense ratio of 0.07%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VGOV.L vs. VUSA.L - Dividend Comparison

VGOV.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, more than VUSA.L's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGOV.L Vanguard UK Gilt UCITS ETF Distributing	4.61%	4.51%	4.14%	3.16%	1.87%	1.09%	1.16%	1.38%	1.57%	1.62%	1.62%	1.92%
VUSA.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF	0.87%	0.95%	1.00%	1.24%	1.41%	1.04%	1.44%	1.50%	1.72%	1.61%	1.58%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGOV.L and VUSA.L in my portfolio?

VGOV.L and VUSA.L have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VGOV.L or VUSA.L?

Both ETFs have the same 0.07% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGOV.L or VUSA.L?

VGOV.L and VUSA.L have the same expense ratio: 0.07% per year.

What is the main difference between VGOV.L and VUSA.L?

VGOV.L is categorized as European Government Bonds, while VUSA.L is S&P 500. VGOV.L tracks FTSE Act UK Cnvt Gilts All Stocks TR GBP, while VUSA.L tracks S&P 500 Index.