VTG vs. VGVT

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

VTG (Vanguard Total Treasury ETF) and VGVT (Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTG is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index, while VGVT is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. VTG is passively managed, while VGVT is actively managed. Over the past year, VTG returned 2.81% vs 3.46% for VGVT. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTG charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VGVT.

Performance

VTG vs. VGVT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) and Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTG achieves a -0.43% return, which is significantly lower than VGVT's -0.14% return.

VTG

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: -0.53%
• 6M: -0.49%
• YTD: -0.43%
• 1Y: 2.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGVT

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -0.33%
• 6M: -0.37%
• YTD: -0.14%
• 1Y: 3.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VTG vs. VGVT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF	-0.43%	3.07%
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	-0.14%	3.56%

Correlation

The correlation between VTG and VGVT 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025	0.91

The correlation between VTG and VGVT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTG vs. VGVT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTG

VTG Risk / Return Rank: 26
VTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
VTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
VTG Omega Ratio Rank: 24
VTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VTG Martin Ratio Rank: 24

VGVT

VGVT Risk / Return Rank: 34
VGVT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VGVT Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VGVT Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VGVT Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VGVT Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. VGVT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) and Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT). 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	VGVT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	1.07	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	1.60	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.19	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.98	1.25	-0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.56	3.30	-0.75

VTG vs. VGVT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTG Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is comparable to the VGVT Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTG and VGVT, 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. VGVT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTG drawdown since its inception was -2.89%, roughly equal to the maximum VGVT drawdown of -2.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTG and VGVT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTG	VGVT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.89%	-2.77%	-0.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.89%	-2.77%	-0.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.21%	-2.00%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.83%	-0.77%	-0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.10%	1.05%	+0.05%

Volatility

VTG vs. VGVT - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) has a higher volatility of 1.13% compared to Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT) at 1.02%. This indicates that VTG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGVT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTG	VGVT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	1.02%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.64%	2.49%	+0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.53%	3.24%	+0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.53%	3.25%	+0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.53%	3.25%	+0.28%

VTG vs. VGVT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTG has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VGVT's 0.10% 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. VGVT - Dividend Comparison

VTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.55%, less than VGVT's 4.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	4.38%	2.29%
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF	3.55%	1.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTG and VGVT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VTG and VGVT 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.

Which is riskier, VTG or VGVT?

VTG has higher volatility (1.13%) compared to VGVT (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTG dropped -2.89% vs VGVT's -2.77%.

Which ETF is better, VTG or VGVT?

On 1-year performance, VGVT leads with 3.46% vs 2.81% for VTG. On fees, VTG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGVT has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTG or VGVT?

Over the 1-year period, VGVT has performed better with a 3.46% return vs 2.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTG or VGVT?

VTG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for VGVT.

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

VGVT has the higher dividend yield at 4.38%, compared with 3.55% for VTG.

What is the main difference between VTG and VGVT?

VTG is categorized as Government Bonds, while VGVT is Intermediate Core Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTG and 0.10% for VGVT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGVT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 0.80), 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.