VTEC vs. UTWO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VTEC (Vanguard California Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and UTWO (US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTEC is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while UTWO is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA Current 2 Year US Treasury Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VTEC returned 6.31% vs 2.73% for UTWO. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTEC charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for UTWO.

Performance

VTEC vs. UTWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard California Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEC) and US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF (UTWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTEC achieves a 1.27% return, which is significantly higher than UTWO's 0.33% return.

VTEC

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 1.43%
• YTD: 1.27%
• 6M: 1.40%
• 1Y: 6.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UTWO

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.33%
• 6M: 0.51%
• 1Y: 2.73%
• 3Y*: 3.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VTEC vs. UTWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VTEC Vanguard California Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	1.27%	3.98%	1.48%
UTWO US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF	0.33%	4.79%	3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between VTEC and UTWO is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2024	0.52

The correlation between VTEC and UTWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTEC vs. UTWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTEC

VTEC Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
VTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 46

UTWO

UTWO Risk / Return Rank: 69
UTWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
UTWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
UTWO Omega Ratio Rank: 73
UTWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
UTWO Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

VTEC vs. UTWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard California Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEC) and US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF (UTWO). 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.

	VTEC	UTWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.00	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	3.16	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.40	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	3.05	-0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.25	10.64	-3.39

VTEC vs. UTWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the UTWO Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTEC and UTWO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VTEC vs. UTWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTEC drawdown since its inception was -4.50%, which is greater than UTWO's maximum drawdown of -2.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTEC and UTWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTEC	UTWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.50%	-2.04%	-2.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.85%	-0.90%	-1.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.08%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-0.38%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.11%	-0.48%	-0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	0.26%	+0.61%

Volatility

VTEC vs. UTWO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard California Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEC) has a higher volatility of 0.62% compared to US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF (UTWO) at 0.48%. This indicates that VTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UTWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTEC	UTWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.62%	0.48%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.90%	1.00%	+0.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.77%	1.37%	+1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.72%	2.07%	+1.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.72%	2.07%	+1.65%

VTEC vs. UTWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTEC has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than UTWO's 0.15% 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

VTEC vs. UTWO - Dividend Comparison

VTEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.15%, less than UTWO's 3.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
UTWO US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF	3.50%	3.63%	4.22%	4.39%	1.22%
VTEC Vanguard California Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.15%	3.13%	2.54%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTEC and UTWO in my portfolio?

VTEC and UTWO have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTEC or UTWO?

VTEC has higher volatility (0.62%) compared to UTWO (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTEC dropped -4.50% vs UTWO's -2.04%.

Which ETF is better, VTEC or UTWO?

On 1-year performance, VTEC leads with 6.31% vs 2.73% for UTWO. On fees, VTEC is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, UTWO has been the lower-risk option at 0.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTEC or UTWO?

Over the 1-year period, VTEC has performed better with a 6.31% return vs 2.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTEC or UTWO?

VTEC is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for UTWO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTEC or UTWO?

UTWO has the higher dividend yield at 3.50%, compared with 3.15% for VTEC.

What is the main difference between VTEC and UTWO?

VTEC is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while UTWO is Government Bonds. VTEC tracks S&P California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, while UTWO tracks ICE BofA Current 2 Year US Treasury Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and US Benchmark Series. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VTEC and 0.15% for UTWO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.00), 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.