VGVT vs. VXUS
VGVT (Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGVT is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. VGVT is actively managed, while VXUS is passively managed. Over the past year, VGVT returned 1.76% vs 27.56% for VXUS. Their 0.32 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VGVT charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.
Performance
VGVT vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGVT achieves a -0.65% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 12.75% return.
VGVT
- 1D
- -0.38%
- 1M
- -1.01%
- 6M
- -0.94%
- YTD
- -0.65%
- 1Y
- 1.76%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 2.72%
VXUS
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- -0.29%
- 6M
- 6.78%
- YTD
- 12.75%
- 1Y
- 27.56%
- 3Y*
- 17.23%
- 5Y*
- 8.78%
- 10Y*
- 9.44%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.55%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $256.38K | $357.24K | $499.27K | |
| $362.62M | $406.11M | $507.75M |
VGVT vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF | -0.65% | 3.56% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 12.75% | 11.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGVT and VXUS is 0.31, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025 | 0.32 |
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Return for Risk
VGVT vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank
VGVT
VXUS
VGVT vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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 | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.84 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.11 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.30 | -0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.92 | 2.42 | -1.50 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.19 | 8.87 | -6.68 |
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Drawdowns
VGVT vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGVT drawdown since its inception was -2.77%, smaller than the maximum VXUS drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGVT and VXUS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGVT | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.77% | -35.97% | +33.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.77% | -11.27% | +8.50% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -13.58% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.44% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.97% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.50% | -2.84% | +0.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.83% | -8.16% | +7.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.16% | 3.07% | -1.91% |
Volatility
VGVT vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) is 0.99%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 5.29%. This indicates that VGVT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGVT | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.99% | 5.29% | -4.30% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.54% | 15.06% | -12.52% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.28% | 16.86% | -13.58% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.27% | 16.35% | -13.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.27% | 17.03% | -13.76% |
VGVT vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGVT has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% 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. VXUS - Dividend Comparison
VGVT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.40%, more than VXUS's 2.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF | 4.14% | 2.29% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 2.59% | 3.18% | 3.37% | 3.24% | 3.09% | 3.10% | 2.14% | 3.06% | 3.18% | 2.73% | 2.93% | 2.83% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGVT and VXUS have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VXUS has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to VGVT (0.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGVT dropped -2.77% vs VXUS's -35.97%.
On 1-year performance, VXUS leads with 27.56% vs 1.76% for VGVT. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VGVT has been the lower-risk option at 0.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, VXUS has performed better with a 27.56% return vs 1.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VGVT.
VGVT has the higher dividend yield at 4.14%, compared with 2.59% for VXUS.
VGVT is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while VXUS is Global Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VGVT and 0.05% for VXUS.
VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 0.78), 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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