VLGSX vs. VSBSX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VLGSX (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VSBSX (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Government Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VLGSX returned -1.08%/yr vs 1.75%/yr for VSBSX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.07% expense ratio.

Performance

VLGSX vs. VSBSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLGSX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLGSX achieves a -0.38% return, which is significantly lower than VSBSX's 0.51% return. Over the past 10 years, VLGSX has underperformed VSBSX with an annualized return of -1.08%, while VSBSX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.75% annualized return.

VLGSX

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: -0.38%
• 6M: -1.26%
• 1Y: 5.31%
• 3Y*: -0.53%
• 5Y*: -5.04%
• 10Y*: -1.08%

VSBSX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.51%
• 6M: 0.83%
• 1Y: 3.41%
• 3Y*: 4.28%
• 5Y*: 1.86%
• 10Y*: 1.75%

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

VLGSX vs. VSBSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLGSX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares	-0.38%	5.42%	-6.17%	3.66%	-29.48%	-4.99%	17.70%	14.31%	-1.62%	8.65%
VSBSX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.51%	5.08%	4.39%	4.23%	-3.87%	-0.69%	3.09%	3.51%	1.52%	0.35%

Correlation

The correlation between VLGSX and VSBSX is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.59

The correlation between VLGSX and VSBSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VLGSX vs. VSBSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLGSX

VLGSX Risk / Return Rank: 6
VLGSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
VLGSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
VLGSX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
VLGSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
VLGSX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

VSBSX

VSBSX Risk / Return Rank: 86
VSBSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VSBSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
VSBSX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VSBSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
VSBSX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

VLGSX vs. VSBSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLGSX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX). 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.

	VLGSX	VSBSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.49	2.63	-2.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.77	4.32	-3.55
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.56	-0.47
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.66	4.19	-3.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.73	17.35	-15.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLGSX vs. VSBSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLGSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.49, which is lower than the VSBSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLGSX and VSBSX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VLGSX	VSBSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49	2.63	-2.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.35	0.96	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.08	1.14	-1.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	1.07	-0.90

Drawdowns

VLGSX vs. VSBSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLGSX drawdown since its inception was -46.22%, which is greater than VSBSX's maximum drawdown of -5.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLGSX and VSBSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLGSX	VSBSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.22%	-5.77%	-40.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.99%	-0.84%	-6.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.67%	-0.84%	-16.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.02%	-5.77%	-35.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.22%	-5.77%	-40.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-36.55%	-0.21%	-36.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.12%	-0.59%	-14.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	0.20%	+2.47%

Volatility

VLGSX vs. VSBSX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLGSX) has a higher volatility of 2.65% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSBSX) at 0.38%. This indicates that VLGSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSBSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLGSX	VSBSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	0.38%	+2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.09%	0.87%	+5.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.96%	1.28%	+7.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.55%	1.95%	+12.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.72%	1.54%	+12.18%

VLGSX vs. VSBSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VLGSX and VSBSX have an expense ratio of 0.07%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VLGSX vs. VSBSX - Dividend Comparison

VLGSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.57%, more than VSBSX's 3.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VLGSX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.57%	4.41%	4.65%	3.30%	2.80%	1.85%	2.13%	2.45%	2.72%	2.55%	2.46%	2.80%
VSBSX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.84%	3.98%	4.50%	3.29%	1.12%	0.63%	1.72%	2.26%	1.80%	1.10%	0.76%	0.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLGSX and VSBSX in my portfolio?

VLGSX and VSBSX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLGSX or VSBSX?

VLGSX has higher volatility (2.65%) compared to VSBSX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLGSX dropped -46.22% vs VSBSX's -5.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSBSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 0.49), 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.