VGSH vs. GOVZ
VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) and GOVZ (iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - VGSH tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index while GOVZ tracks the ICE BofA Long US Treasury Principal STRIPS Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VGSH returned 1.88%/yr vs -11.18%/yr for GOVZ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGSH charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for GOVZ.
Performance
VGSH vs. GOVZ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGSH achieves a 0.60% return, which is significantly lower than GOVZ's 3.57% return.
VGSH
- 1D
- 0.14%
- 1M
- 0.25%
- YTD
- 0.60%
- 6M
- 0.72%
- 1Y
- 3.03%
- 3Y*
- 4.25%
- 5Y*
- 1.88%
- 10Y*
- 1.71%
GOVZ
- 1D
- 2.29%
- 1M
- 6.77%
- YTD
- 3.57%
- 6M
- 1.48%
- 1Y
- 4.27%
- 3Y*
- -6.85%
- 5Y*
- -11.18%
- 10Y*
- —
VGSH vs. GOVZ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 0.60% | 5.07% | 4.00% | 4.31% | -3.86% | -0.60% | 0.04% |
GOVZ iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF | 3.57% | -1.81% | -16.24% | 0.90% | -41.03% | -4.86% | -5.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGSH and GOVZ is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2020 | 0.53 |
The correlation between VGSH and GOVZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VGSH vs. GOVZ — Risk / Return Rank
VGSH
GOVZ
VGSH vs. GOVZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) and iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ). 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.
| VGSH | GOVZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.06 | +0.43 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.44 | 0.30 | +3.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.16 | 0.66 | +12.51 |
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Drawdowns
VGSH vs. GOVZ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGSH drawdown since its inception was -5.70%, smaller than the maximum GOVZ drawdown of -59.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGSH and GOVZ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGSH | GOVZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.70% | -59.65% | +53.95% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.88% | -14.16% | +13.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -0.97% | -28.72% | +27.75% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -5.66% | -57.63% | +51.97% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -5.70% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.17% | -54.49% | +54.32% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.60% | -40.04% | +39.44% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.23% | 6.51% | -6.28% |
Volatility
VGSH vs. GOVZ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) is 0.47%, while iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF (GOVZ) has a volatility of 4.06%. This indicates that VGSH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GOVZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGSH | GOVZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.47% | 4.06% | -3.59% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.96% | 10.91% | -9.95% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.32% | 15.89% | -14.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 1.98% | 23.88% | -21.90% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 1.58% | 23.29% | -21.71% |
VGSH vs. GOVZ - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGSH has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than GOVZ's 0.15% 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
VGSH vs. GOVZ - Dividend Comparison
VGSH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, less than GOVZ's 4.95% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GOVZ iShares 25+ Year Treasury STRIPS Bond ETF | 4.95% | 5.00% | 4.68% | 3.84% | 3.69% | 1.76% | 0.39% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 3.87% | 4.00% | 4.18% | 3.31% | 1.15% | 0.66% | 1.74% | 2.28% | 1.79% | 1.10% | 0.84% | 0.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGSH and GOVZ have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GOVZ has higher volatility (4.06%) compared to VGSH (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGSH dropped -5.70% vs GOVZ's -59.65%.
On 5-year performance, VGSH leads with 1.88% vs -11.18% for GOVZ. On fees, VGSH is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VGSH has performed better with a 1.88% return vs -11.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGSH is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for GOVZ.
GOVZ has the higher dividend yield at 4.95%, compared with 3.87% for VGSH.
VGSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index, while GOVZ tracks ICE BofA Long US Treasury Principal STRIPS Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGSH and 0.15% for GOVZ.
VGSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 0.27), 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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