VSIGX vs. VGAVX
VSIGX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VGAVX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Government Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VSIGX returned 1.21%/yr vs 3.67%/yr for VGAVX. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VSIGX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VGAVX.
Performance
VSIGX vs. VGAVX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSIGX achieves a -0.33% return, which is significantly lower than VGAVX's 2.20% return. Over the past 10 years, VSIGX has underperformed VGAVX with an annualized return of 1.21%, while VGAVX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.67% annualized return.
VSIGX
- 1D
- 0.30%
- 1M
- 0.58%
- YTD
- -0.33%
- 6M
- -0.18%
- 1Y
- 3.12%
- 3Y*
- 3.71%
- 5Y*
- 0.14%
- 10Y*
- 1.21%
VGAVX
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 2.04%
- YTD
- 2.20%
- 6M
- 2.38%
- 1Y
- 11.04%
- 3Y*
- 9.52%
- 5Y*
- 2.24%
- 10Y*
- 3.67%
VSIGX vs. VGAVX - 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% |
VGAVX Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 2.20% | 12.98% | 6.27% | 10.44% | -16.68% | -1.74% | 5.82% | 14.01% | -2.77% | 8.45% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSIGX and VGAVX is 0.56, 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 | 0.56 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2014 | 0.40 |
The correlation between VSIGX and VGAVX shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (all time) to 0.67 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VSIGX vs. VGAVX — Risk / Return Rank
VSIGX
VGAVX
VSIGX vs. VGAVX - 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 Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX). 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.
| VSIGX | VGAVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.66 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.68 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.53 | -0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.13 | 2.75 | -1.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.11 | 11.01 | -7.90 |
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Drawdowns
VSIGX vs. VGAVX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSIGX drawdown since its inception was -16.15%, smaller than the maximum VGAVX drawdown of -26.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSIGX and VGAVX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSIGX | VGAVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.15% | -26.77% | +10.62% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.86% | -3.97% | +1.11% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.21% | -7.11% | +2.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.07% | -26.77% | +11.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.15% | -26.77% | +10.62% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.06% | -0.12% | -1.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.50% | -4.66% | +1.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.04% | 0.99% | +0.05% |
Volatility
VSIGX vs. VGAVX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSIGX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX) have volatilities of 1.17% and 1.21%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSIGX | VGAVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.17% | 1.21% | -0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.48% | 3.42% | -0.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.35% | 4.17% | -0.82% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.34% | 6.32% | -0.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.45% | 6.37% | -1.92% |
VSIGX vs. VGAVX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSIGX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VGAVX's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, 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. VGAVX - Dividend Comparison
VSIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.83%, less than VGAVX's 5.76% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGAVX Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares | 5.76% | 5.88% | 6.56% | 5.50% | 5.29% | 4.27% | 4.20% | 4.60% | 4.54% | 4.62% | 4.73% | 4.94% |
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
VSIGX and VGAVX have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VGAVX has higher volatility (1.21%) compared to VSIGX (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSIGX dropped -16.15% vs VGAVX's -26.77%.
VGAVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 0.96), 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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