ZROZ vs. VTG

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

ZROZ (PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund) and VTG (Vanguard Total Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds - ZROZ tracks the ICE BofA Long U.S. Treasury Principal STRIPS Index while VTG tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ZROZ returned 0.40% vs 2.81% for VTG. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ZROZ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTG.

Performance

ZROZ vs. VTG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund (ZROZ) and Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZROZ achieves a -3.01% return, which is significantly lower than VTG's -0.43% return.

ZROZ

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: -2.91%
• 6M: -3.55%
• YTD: -3.01%
• 1Y: 0.40%
• 3Y*: -7.96%
• 5Y*: -13.29%
• 10Y*: -4.99%

VTG

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

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

ZROZ vs. VTG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZROZ PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund	-3.01%	2.89%
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF	-0.43%	3.07%

Correlation

The correlation between ZROZ and VTG is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025	0.85

The correlation between ZROZ and VTG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZROZ vs. VTG — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZROZ

ZROZ Risk / Return Rank: 9
ZROZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
ZROZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
ZROZ Omega Ratio Rank: 9
ZROZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
ZROZ Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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

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.

ZROZ vs. VTG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund (ZROZ) and Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG). 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.

	ZROZ	VTG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.03	0.80	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.15	1.20	-1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.14	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.03	0.98	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.06	2.56	-2.50

ZROZ vs. VTG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZROZ Sharpe Ratio is 0.03, which is lower than the VTG Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZROZ and VTG, 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

ZROZ vs. VTG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZROZ drawdown since its inception was -62.93%, which is greater than VTG's maximum drawdown of -2.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZROZ and VTG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZROZ	VTG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.93%	-2.89%	-60.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.02%	-2.89%	-11.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.21%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.98%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-62.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-60.72%	-2.21%	-58.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.26%	-0.83%	-23.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.58%	1.10%	+5.48%

Volatility

ZROZ vs. VTG - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund (ZROZ) has a higher volatility of 4.76% compared to Vanguard Total Treasury ETF (VTG) at 1.13%. This indicates that ZROZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZROZ	VTG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.76%	1.13%	+3.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.09%	2.64%	+8.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.54%	3.53%	+12.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.81%	3.53%	+20.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.96%	3.53%	+18.43%

ZROZ vs. VTG - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZROZ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VTG'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

ZROZ vs. VTG - Dividend Comparison

ZROZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.35%, more than VTG's 3.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTG Vanguard Total Treasury ETF	3.55%	1.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ZROZ PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon US Treasury Index Fund	5.35%	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

Can I hold both ZROZ and VTG in my portfolio?

ZROZ and VTG have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZROZ or VTG?

ZROZ has higher volatility (4.76%) compared to VTG (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZROZ dropped -62.93% vs VTG's -2.89%.

Which ETF is better, ZROZ or VTG?

On 1-year performance, VTG leads with 2.81% vs 0.40% for ZROZ. On fees, VTG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTG has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZROZ or VTG?

Over the 1-year period, VTG has performed better with a 2.81% return vs 0.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZROZ or VTG?

VTG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for ZROZ.

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

ZROZ has the higher dividend yield at 5.35%, compared with 3.55% for VTG.

What is the main difference between ZROZ and VTG?

ZROZ tracks ICE BofA Long U.S. Treasury Principal STRIPS Index, while VTG tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Total Return Unhedged USD Index. They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for ZROZ and 0.03% for VTG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.80 vs 0.03), 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.