VTI vs. ZROZ
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and ZROZ (PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while ZROZ is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA Long U.S. Treasury Principal STRIPS Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.02%/yr vs -4.28%/yr for ZROZ. At a correlation of -0.24, they often move in opposite directions. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for ZROZ.
Performance
VTI vs. ZROZ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 9.62% return, which is significantly higher than ZROZ's -0.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed ZROZ with an annualized return of 15.02%, while ZROZ has yielded a comparatively lower -4.28% annualized return.
VTI
- 1D
- 0.57%
- 1M
- 0.45%
- YTD
- 9.62%
- 6M
- 9.69%
- 1Y
- 24.78%
- 3Y*
- 20.60%
- 5Y*
- 12.20%
- 10Y*
- 15.02%
ZROZ
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 3.23%
- YTD
- -0.11%
- 6M
- -0.09%
- 1Y
- 0.65%
- 3Y*
- -6.87%
- 5Y*
- -11.89%
- 10Y*
- -4.28%
VTI vs. ZROZ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 9.62% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
ZROZ PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund | -0.11% | -1.84% | -16.18% | 1.19% | -41.28% | -5.22% | 24.57% | 21.22% | -5.43% | 14.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTI and ZROZ is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2009 | -0.24 |
The correlation between VTI and ZROZ shifts across timeframes, from -0.24 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VTI vs. ZROZ — Risk / Return Rank
VTI
ZROZ
VTI vs. ZROZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund (ZROZ). 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.
| VTI | ZROZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.93 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.02 | +0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.79 | 0.05 | +2.74 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.52 | 0.10 | +12.42 |
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Drawdowns
VTI vs. ZROZ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, smaller than the maximum ZROZ drawdown of -62.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and ZROZ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTI | ZROZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.45% | -62.93% | +7.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.92% | -14.02% | +5.10% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -28.62% | +9.32% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.36% | -57.98% | +32.62% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.00% | -62.93% | +27.93% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.14% | -59.54% | +57.40% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.02% | -24.10% | +16.08% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | 6.31% | -4.32% |
Volatility
VTI vs. ZROZ - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund (ZROZ) have volatilities of 4.50% and 4.59%, 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
| VTI | ZROZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.50% | 4.59% | -0.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.82% | 10.78% | -0.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.64% | 16.12% | -3.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.47% | 23.89% | -6.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.33% | 22.06% | -3.73% |
VTI vs. ZROZ - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than ZROZ'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
VTI vs. ZROZ - Dividend Comparison
VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than ZROZ's 5.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.03% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
ZROZ PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund | 5.10% | 4.96% | 4.58% | 3.52% | 2.76% | 1.60% | 1.68% | 2.22% | 2.06% | 2.53% | 3.00% | 2.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTI and ZROZ have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ZROZ has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to VTI (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs ZROZ's -62.93%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.02% vs -4.28% for ZROZ. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.02% return vs -4.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for ZROZ.
ZROZ has the higher dividend yield at 5.10%, compared with 1.03% for VTI.
VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while ZROZ is Government Bonds. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while ZROZ tracks ICE BofA Long U.S. Treasury Principal STRIPS Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.15% for ZROZ.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 0.04), 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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