VUSTX vs. TLT
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VUSTX) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT).
VUSTX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on May 19, 1986. TLT is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Barclays Capital U.S. 20+ Year Treasury Bond Index. It was launched on Jul 26, 2002.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: VUSTX or TLT.
Key characteristics
| VUSTX | TLT | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -5.03% | -6.14% |
| 1Y Return | 5.15% | 4.03% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -11.40% | -12.58% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | -7.18% | -5.92% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | -1.78% | -0.37% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.53 | 0.43 |
| Sortino Ratio | 0.84 | 0.70 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.10 | 1.08 |
| Calmar Ratio | 0.15 | 0.14 |
| Martin Ratio | 1.39 | 1.05 |
| Ulcer Index | 5.26% | 6.10% |
| Daily Std Dev | 13.77% | 15.01% |
| Max Drawdown | -51.32% | -48.35% |
| Current Drawdown | -44.53% | -41.52% |
Correlation
The correlation between VUSTX and TLT is 0.98, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
VUSTX vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, VUSTX achieves a -5.03% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -6.14% return. Over the past 10 years, VUSTX has underperformed TLT with an annualized return of -1.78%, while TLT has yielded a comparatively higher -0.37% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
VUSTX vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VUSTX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
VUSTX vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VUSTX) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.
Dividends
VUSTX vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
VUSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.90%, less than TLT's 4.10% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VUSTX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares | 3.90% | 3.32% | 2.95% | 1.88% | 2.01% | 2.53% | 2.82% | 2.65% | 2.85% | 2.88% | 2.87% | 3.41% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 4.10% | 3.38% | 2.67% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 2.27% | 2.63% | 2.43% | 2.60% | 2.61% | 2.67% | 3.26% |
Drawdowns
VUSTX vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VUSTX drawdown since its inception was -51.32%, which is greater than TLT's maximum drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSTX and TLT. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
VUSTX vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VUSTX) is 4.40%, while iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has a volatility of 5.07%. This indicates that VUSTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.