VTG vs. GBIL

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

VTG (Vanguard Total Treasury ETF) and GBIL (Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - VTG tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index while GBIL tracks the FTSE US Treasury 0-1 Year Composite Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VTG returned 3.10% vs 3.82% for GBIL. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VTG charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for GBIL.

Performance

VTG vs. GBIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) and Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF (GBIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTG achieves a -0.15% return, which is significantly lower than GBIL's 1.79% return.

VTG

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -0.25%
• 6M: -0.29%
• YTD: -0.15%
• 1Y: 3.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GBIL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 1.71%
• YTD: 1.79%
• 1Y: 3.82%
• 3Y*: 4.60%
• 5Y*: 3.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTG vs. GBIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF	-0.15%	3.07%
GBIL Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF	1.79%	2.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VTG and GBIL is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025	0.21

Return for Risk

VTG vs. GBIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTG

VTG Risk / Return Rank: 24
VTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
VTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
VTG Omega Ratio Rank: 23
VTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
VTG Martin Ratio Rank: 24

GBIL

GBIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
GBIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
GBIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
GBIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
GBIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
GBIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

VTG vs. GBIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) and Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF (GBIL). 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.

	VTG	GBIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	16.87	-16.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	109.20	-108.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	48.19	-47.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.94	192.92	-191.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.48	1,697.29	-1,694.81

VTG vs. GBIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTG Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is lower than the GBIL Sharpe Ratio of 16.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTG and GBIL, 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

VTG vs. GBIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTG drawdown since its inception was -2.89%, which is greater than GBIL's maximum drawdown of -0.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTG and GBIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTG	GBIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.89%	-0.76%	-2.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.89%	-0.02%	-2.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.94%	0.00%	-1.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.82%	-0.04%	-0.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	0.00%	+1.09%

Volatility

VTG vs. GBIL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) has a higher volatility of 1.10% compared to Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF (GBIL) at 0.06%. This indicates that VTG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GBIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTG	GBIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.10%	0.06%	+1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.64%	0.14%	+2.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.53%	0.23%	+3.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.53%	0.58%	+2.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.53%	0.47%	+3.06%

VTG vs. GBIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTG has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than GBIL's 0.12% 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

VTG vs. GBIL - Dividend Comparison

VTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.54%, less than GBIL's 3.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
GBIL Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF	3.71%	4.02%	4.93%	4.77%	1.37%	0.00%	0.81%	2.20%	1.70%	0.74%	0.11%
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF	3.54%	1.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTG and GBIL in my portfolio?

VTG and GBIL have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTG or GBIL?

VTG has higher volatility (1.10%) compared to GBIL (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTG dropped -2.89% vs GBIL's -0.76%.

Which ETF is better, VTG or GBIL?

On 1-year performance, GBIL leads with 3.82% vs 3.10% for VTG. On fees, VTG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, GBIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTG or GBIL?

Over the 1-year period, GBIL has performed better with a 3.82% return vs 3.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTG or GBIL?

VTG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for GBIL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTG or GBIL?

GBIL has the higher dividend yield at 3.71%, compared with 3.54% for VTG.

What is the main difference between VTG and GBIL?

VTG tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index, while GBIL tracks FTSE US Treasury 0-1 Year Composite Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Goldman Sachs. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTG and 0.12% for GBIL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GBIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (16.87 vs 0.77), 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.