VGVT vs. VGIT
VGVT (Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF) and VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGVT is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VGIT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index. VGVT is actively managed, while VGIT is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VGVT charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGIT.
Performance
VGVT vs. VGIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGVT achieves a 0.29% return, which is significantly higher than VGIT's -0.39% return.
VGVT
- 1D
- 0.22%
- 1M
- 0.58%
- YTD
- 0.29%
- 6M
- 0.51%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VGIT
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 0.38%
- YTD
- -0.39%
- 6M
- -0.22%
- 1Y
- 2.74%
- 3Y*
- 3.56%
- 5Y*
- 0.11%
- 10Y*
- 1.14%
VGVT vs. VGIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF | 0.29% | 3.56% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | -0.39% | 3.33% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGVT and VGIT is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025 | 0.85 |
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Return for Risk
VGVT vs. VGIT — Risk / Return Rank
VGVT
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
VGIT
VGVT vs. VGIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT). 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.
| VGVT | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.14 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 0.97 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 2.61 | — |
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Drawdowns
VGVT vs. VGIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGVT drawdown since its inception was -2.77%, smaller than the maximum VGIT drawdown of -16.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGVT and VGIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGVT | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.77% | -16.05% | +13.28% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -2.83% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -4.34% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -15.02% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -16.05% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.57% | -2.32% | +0.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.73% | -3.51% | +2.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 1.05% | — |
Volatility
VGVT vs. VGIT - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| VGVT | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 1.10% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 2.47% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.24% | 3.38% | -0.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.24% | 5.39% | -2.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.24% | 4.50% | -1.26% |
VGVT vs. VGIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGVT has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VGIT's 0.03% 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. VGIT - Dividend Comparison
VGVT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, more than VGIT's 3.86% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 3.86% | 3.79% | 3.67% | 2.73% | 1.74% | 1.69% | 2.23% | 2.24% | 2.05% | 1.67% | 1.69% | 1.69% |
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF | 3.98% | 2.29% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGVT and VGIT have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VGIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VGIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VGVT.
VGVT has the higher dividend yield at 3.98%, compared with 3.86% for VGIT.
VGVT is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while VGIT is Government Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VGVT and 0.03% for VGIT.
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