VGUS vs. VTV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) and VTV (Vanguard Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index, while VTV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VGUS returned 3.76% vs 27.94% for VTV. Their -0.08 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. VGUS charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTV.

Performance

VGUS vs. VTV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) and Vanguard Value ETF (VTV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGUS achieves a 2.02% return, which is significantly lower than VTV's 16.37% return.

VGUS

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 1.73%
• YTD: 2.02%
• 1Y: 3.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.98%

VTV

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.36%
• 6M: 11.27%
• YTD: 16.37%
• 1Y: 27.94%
• 3Y*: 17.12%
• 5Y*: 12.29%
• 10Y*: 12.57%
• ALL TIME*: 9.67%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	$5.97M	$8.43M	$10.65M
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	$688.19M	$688.42M	$619.05M

VGUS vs. VTV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	2.02%	3.78%
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	16.37%	10.35%

Correlation

The correlation between VGUS and VTV is -0.05, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2025	-0.08

Return for Risk

VGUS vs. VTV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VGUS

VGUS Risk / Return Rank: 100
VGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

VTV

VTV Risk / Return Rank: 93
VTV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VTV Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VTV Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VTV Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VTV Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VGUS vs. VTV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) and Vanguard Value ETF (VTV). 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.

	VGUS	VTV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	12.33	2.62	+9.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	38.00	3.74	+34.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	11.72	1.47	+10.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	53.97	4.24	+49.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	428.50	16.42	+412.08

VGUS vs. VTV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGUS Sharpe Ratio is 12.33, which is higher than the VTV Sharpe Ratio of 2.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGUS and VTV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VGUS vs. VTV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGUS drawdown since its inception was -0.07%, smaller than the maximum VTV drawdown of -59.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGUS and VTV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGUS	VTV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.07%	-59.27%	+59.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.07%	-6.35%	+6.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.52%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.04%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.36%	+1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-7.82%	+7.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.01%	1.64%	-1.63%

Volatility

VGUS vs. VTV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS) is 0.06%, while Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) has a volatility of 2.62%. This indicates that VGUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGUS	VTV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.06%	2.62%	-2.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.18%	7.72%	-7.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32%	10.36%	-10.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.33%	13.82%	-13.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.33%	16.61%	-16.28%

VGUS vs. VTV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGUS has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VTV's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VGUS vs. VTV - Dividend Comparison

VGUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.60%, more than VTV's 1.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.28%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTV Vanguard Value ETF	1.86%	2.05%	2.31%	2.46%	2.52%	2.15%	2.56%	2.50%	2.73%	2.29%	2.44%	2.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGUS and VTV in my portfolio?

VGUS and VTV have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGUS or VTV?

VTV has higher volatility (2.62%) compared to VGUS (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGUS dropped -0.07% vs VTV's -59.27%.

Which ETF is better, VGUS or VTV?

On 1-year performance, VTV leads with 27.94% vs 3.76% for VGUS. On fees, VTV is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VGUS has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VGUS or VTV?

Over the 1-year period, VTV has performed better with a 27.94% return vs 3.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGUS or VTV?

VTV is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for VGUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VGUS or VTV?

VGUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.28%, compared with 1.86% for VTV.

What is the main difference between VGUS and VTV?

VGUS is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while VTV is Large Cap Value Equities. VGUS tracks Bloomberg Short Treasury Index, while VTV tracks CRSP US Large Cap Value Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VGUS and 0.04% for VTV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.33 vs 2.62), 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.