VGVT vs. SGOV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGVT (Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF) and SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGVT is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard, while SGOV is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. VGVT is actively managed, while SGOV is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. VGVT charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SGOV.

Performance

VGVT vs. SGOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGVT achieves a 0.11% return, which is significantly lower than SGOV's 1.51% return.

VGVT

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 0.11%
• 6M: 0.10%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SGOV

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.51%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: 4.72%
• 5Y*: 3.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

VGVT vs. SGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	0.11%	3.28%
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	1.51%	1.99%

Correlation

The correlation between VGVT and SGOV is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2025	-0.04

Return for Risk

VGVT vs. SGOV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGOV

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

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.

VGVT vs. SGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGVT	SGOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	20.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	14.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.17	12.48	-11.31

Drawdowns

VGVT vs. SGOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGVT drawdown since its inception was -2.77%, which is greater than SGOV's maximum drawdown of -0.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGVT and SGOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGVT	SGOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.77%	-0.03%	-2.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.01%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.01%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.03%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.76%	0.00%	-1.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.67%	-0.00%	-0.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.00%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VGVT	SGOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.05%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.13%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.22%	0.20%	+3.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.22%	0.24%	+2.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.22%	0.24%	+2.98%

VGVT vs. SGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGVT has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than SGOV's 0.09% 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

VGVT vs. SGOV - Dividend Comparison

VGVT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, more than SGOV's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	3.86%	4.10%	5.10%	4.87%	1.45%	0.03%	0.05%
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	3.99%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGVT and SGOV in my portfolio?

VGVT and SGOV have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VGVT or SGOV?

On fees, SGOV is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGVT or SGOV?

SGOV is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VGVT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VGVT or SGOV?

VGVT has the higher dividend yield at 3.99%, compared with 3.86% for SGOV.

What is the main difference between VGVT and SGOV?

VGVT is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while SGOV is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VGVT and 0.09% for SGOV.