VUSUX vs. VGLT
VUSUX (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares) and VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VUSUX returned -1.70%/yr vs -1.64%/yr for VGLT. Their 0.98 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VUSUX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGLT.
Performance
VUSUX vs. VGLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VUSUX achieves a -3.34% return, which is significantly lower than VGLT's -2.15% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VUSUX having a -1.70% annualized return and VGLT not far ahead at -1.64%.
VUSUX
- 1D
- 0.40%
- 1M
- -3.33%
- 6M
- -2.97%
- YTD
- -3.34%
- 1Y
- -1.80%
- 3Y*
- -0.01%
- 5Y*
- -7.22%
- 10Y*
- -1.70%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.62%
VGLT
- 1D
- 0.78%
- 1M
- -2.40%
- 6M
- -1.94%
- YTD
- -2.15%
- 1Y
- -0.79%
- 3Y*
- 0.21%
- 5Y*
- -6.97%
- 10Y*
- -1.64%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.33%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $99.45M | $99.43M | $109.17M | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VUSUX vs. VGLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VUSUX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares | -3.34% | 5.66% | -6.30% | 3.43% | -29.51% | -4.71% | 18.10% | 14.26% | -1.80% | 8.72% |
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | -2.15% | 5.35% | -6.28% | 3.27% | -29.34% | -4.98% | 17.57% | 14.30% | -1.54% | 8.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between VUSUX and VGLT is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009 | 0.98 |
The correlation between VUSUX and VGLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VUSUX vs. VGLT — Risk / Return Rank
VUSUX
VGLT
VUSUX vs. VGLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VUSUX) and Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT). 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.
| VUSUX | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.98 | 0.99 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.21 | -0.11 | -0.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.47 | -0.24 | -0.23 |
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Drawdowns
VUSUX vs. VGLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VUSUX drawdown since its inception was -46.12%, roughly equal to the maximum VGLT drawdown of -46.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSUX and VGLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VUSUX | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.12% | -46.18% | +0.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.42% | -7.03% | -0.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.56% | -13.38% | -0.18% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -41.34% | -40.98% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.12% | -46.18% | +0.06% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -38.12% | -37.93% | -0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.70% | -15.28% | +3.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.29% | 3.24% | +0.05% |
Volatility
VUSUX vs. VGLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VUSUX) is 2.32%, while Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) has a volatility of 2.48%. This indicates that VUSUX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VUSUX | VGLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.32% | 2.48% | -0.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.42% | 6.36% | +0.06% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.45% | 8.41% | +0.04% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.50% | 14.46% | +0.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.69% | 13.74% | -0.05% |
VUSUX vs. VGLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
VUSUX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than VGLT's 0.03% 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%.
Dividends
VUSUX vs. VGLT - Dividend Comparison
VUSUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.35%, less than VGLT's 4.74% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | 4.74% | 4.44% | 4.33% | 3.33% | 2.84% | 1.82% | 2.15% | 2.46% | 2.71% | 2.55% | 2.69% | 3.21% |
VUSUX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares | 4.35% | 4.39% | 4.15% | 3.43% | 3.05% | 4.46% | 10.28% | 2.92% | 2.91% | 2.74% | 5.38% | 5.62% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, VUSUX and VGLT 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.
VGLT has higher volatility (2.48%) compared to VUSUX (2.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUSUX dropped -46.12% vs VGLT's -46.18%.
VGLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.09 vs -0.18), 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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