VSIGX vs. VBTLX
VSIGX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VSIGX is a Government Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VSIGX returned 1.25%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBTLX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSIGX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBTLX.
Performance
VSIGX vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSIGX achieves a -0.33% return, which is significantly lower than VBTLX's 0.42% return. Over the past 10 years, VSIGX has underperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 1.25%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.58% annualized return.
VSIGX
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- -0.23%
- YTD
- -0.33%
- 6M
- -0.30%
- 1Y
- 3.63%
- 3Y*
- 3.55%
- 5Y*
- 0.14%
- 10Y*
- 1.25%
VBTLX
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- 0.13%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.45%
- 1Y
- 5.34%
- 3Y*
- 4.05%
- 5Y*
- 0.18%
- 10Y*
- 1.58%
VSIGX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSIGX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares | -0.33% | 7.36% | 1.65% | 4.39% | -10.69% | -2.60% | 7.65% | 6.26% | 1.35% | 1.58% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.42% | 7.17% | 1.26% | 5.74% | -13.16% | -1.81% | 7.72% | 8.73% | -0.25% | 3.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSIGX and VBTLX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.92 |
The correlation between VSIGX and VBTLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VSIGX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank
VSIGX
VBTLX
VSIGX vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSIGX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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.
| VSIGX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.01 | 1.27 | -0.26 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.52 | 1.91 | -0.39 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.22 | -0.05 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.28 | 1.93 | -0.65 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.93 | 5.84 | -1.91 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VSIGX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.01 | 1.27 | -0.26 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.28 | 0.32 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.51 | 0.76 | -0.25 |
Drawdowns
VSIGX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSIGX drawdown since its inception was -16.15%, smaller than the maximum VBTLX drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSIGX and VBTLX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VSIGX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.15% | -18.81% | +2.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.86% | -2.89% | +0.03% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.24% | -6.00% | +1.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.07% | -18.14% | +3.07% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.15% | -18.81% | +2.66% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.06% | -2.18% | +0.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.51% | -2.67% | -0.84% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.93% | 0.96% | -0.03% |
Volatility
VSIGX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSIGX) is 1.10%, while Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) has a volatility of 1.38%. This indicates that VSIGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VSIGX | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.10% | 1.38% | -0.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.38% | 2.80% | -0.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.38% | 3.98% | -0.60% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.33% | 6.01% | -0.68% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.45% | 4.98% | -0.53% |
VSIGX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSIGX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX'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
VSIGX vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison
VSIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.83%, less than VBTLX's 3.98% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.98% | 3.87% | 3.69% | 3.10% | 2.59% | 1.96% | 2.39% | 2.74% | 2.57% | 2.56% | 2.53% | 2.82% |
VSIGX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.83% | 3.76% | 3.95% | 2.70% | 1.71% | 1.66% | 2.21% | 2.21% | 2.05% | 1.67% | 1.56% | 1.70% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, VSIGX and VBTLX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VBTLX has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to VSIGX (1.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSIGX dropped -16.15% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.
VBTLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 1.01), 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.
Find the right allocation for VSIGX and VBTLX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer