VT vs. BWX
VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and BWX (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while BWX is a International Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Treasury x US Capped (Inception 8/31/2007). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VT returned 13.03%/yr vs -1.31%/yr for BWX. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BWX.
Performance
VT vs. BWX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VT achieves a 12.78% return, which is significantly higher than BWX's -1.42% return. Over the past 10 years, VT has outperformed BWX with an annualized return of 13.03%, while BWX has yielded a comparatively lower -1.31% annualized return.
VT
- 1D
- 1.55%
- 1M
- 3.39%
- YTD
- 12.78%
- 6M
- 13.56%
- 1Y
- 29.41%
- 3Y*
- 19.92%
- 5Y*
- 11.15%
- 10Y*
- 13.03%
BWX
- 1D
- 0.27%
- 1M
- 1.08%
- YTD
- -1.42%
- 6M
- -1.46%
- 1Y
- -2.80%
- 3Y*
- 1.02%
- 5Y*
- -4.15%
- 10Y*
- -1.31%
VT vs. BWX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 12.78% | 22.43% | 16.49% | 22.02% | -18.00% | 18.27% | 16.59% | 26.81% | -9.76% | 24.50% |
BWX SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF | -1.42% | 7.67% | -5.93% | 5.10% | -19.72% | -8.67% | 9.50% | 5.58% | -1.85% | 9.93% |
Correlation
The correlation between VT and BWX is 0.52, 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 | 0.52 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2008 | 0.27 |
Over the past year, VT and BWX have become more correlated (0.52) than their long-term average of 0.27, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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
VT vs. BWX — Risk / Return Rank
VT
BWX
VT vs. BWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF (BWX). 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.
| VT | BWX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.57 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 0.95 | +0.45 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.05 | -0.46 | +3.51 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.29 | -0.90 | +14.18 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VT vs. BWX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, which is greater than BWX's maximum drawdown of -34.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and BWX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VT | BWX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.27% | -34.05% | -16.22% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.67% | -6.16% | -3.51% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.51% | -10.22% | -6.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.38% | -30.78% | +4.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.24% | -34.05% | -0.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.40% | -23.60% | +23.20% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.01% | -10.07% | +3.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.22% | 3.13% | -0.91% |
Volatility
VT vs. BWX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a higher volatility of 5.46% compared to SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF (BWX) at 2.49%. This indicates that VT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VT | BWX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.46% | 2.49% | +2.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.11% | 5.92% | +5.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.41% | 7.66% | +5.75% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.17% | 9.70% | +6.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.28% | 8.67% | +8.61% |
VT vs. BWX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than BWX's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
VT vs. BWX - Dividend Comparison
VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, less than BWX's 2.36% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BWX SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF | 2.36% | 2.19% | 1.99% | 1.63% | 1.23% | 0.93% | 0.95% | 1.16% | 1.07% | 0.46% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 1.58% | 1.82% | 1.95% | 2.08% | 2.20% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 2.32% | 2.53% | 2.11% | 2.39% | 2.45% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VT and BWX have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VT has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to BWX (2.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs BWX's -34.05%.
On 10-year performance, VT leads with 13.03% vs -1.31% for BWX. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, BWX has been the lower-risk option at 2.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VT has performed better with a 13.03% return vs -1.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BWX.
BWX has the higher dividend yield at 2.36%, compared with 1.58% for VT.
VT is categorized as Global Equities, while BWX is International Government Bonds. VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index, while BWX tracks Bloomberg Global Treasury x US Capped (Inception 8/31/2007). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VT and 0.35% for BWX.
VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs -0.37), 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 VT and BWX
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