VUSUX vs. TLT
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VUSUX) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT).
VUSUX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Feb 12, 2001. 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: VUSUX or TLT.
Key characteristics
| VUSUX | TLT | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 3.35% | 3.06% |
| 1Y Return | 11.55% | 10.90% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -9.49% | -10.47% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | -3.86% | -4.63% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 1.31% | 1.03% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.77 | 0.67 |
| Daily Std Dev | 15.27% | 16.72% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.04% | -48.35% |
| Current Drawdown | -33.08% | -35.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between VUSUX 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
VUSUX vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, VUSUX achieves a 3.35% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's 3.06% return. Over the past 10 years, VUSUX has outperformed TLT with an annualized return of 1.31%, while TLT has yielded a comparatively lower 1.03% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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VUSUX vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VUSUX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than TLT'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%.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
VUSUX vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VUSUX) 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
VUSUX vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
VUSUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.62%, which matches TLT's 3.65% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VUSUX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares | 3.62% | 3.43% | 3.05% | 4.61% | 10.48% | 2.91% | 2.92% | 2.73% | 5.38% | 5.36% | 4.44% | 4.36% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 3.65% | 3.38% | 2.67% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 2.27% | 2.63% | 2.43% | 2.60% | 2.61% | 2.67% | 3.26% |
Drawdowns
VUSUX vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VUSUX drawdown since its inception was -46.04%, roughly equal to the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSUX and TLT. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
VUSUX vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VUSUX) is 2.92%, while iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has a volatility of 3.40%. This indicates that VUSUX 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.