BLV: Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Broad bond funds that mix government, corporate and mortgage bonds in one holding.
Data updated October 2026
BLV · US exchange · USDCategory: Aggregate bond ETFsData from April 2007
From April 2007 to October 2026 BLV returned 3.9% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $21,197.
Its deepest fall was 38.3%, from August 2020 to October 2023, and it has not yet returned to the previous high. Annual volatility was 11.5%; at the last close it was 27.5% below its high.
Against AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF), over the 234 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.94: they moved almost in lockstep. Beta was 2.24. In months when AGG rose, BLV moved 214% as much on average; in months when AGG fell, 252% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +3.9%
- 1-year return
- −6.9%
- 5 years, a year
- −4.6%
- 10 years, a year
- +0.2%
- Annual volatility
- 11.5%
- Maximum drawdown
- −38.3%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.25
- Worst year
- 2022: −26.9%
Trailing returns
| Period | BLV | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | −6.9% | −1.9% |
| 3 years, a year | +5.3% | +5.2% |
| 5 years, a year | −4.6% | −0.3% |
| 10 years, a year | +0.2% | +1.2% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: BLV vs AGG
Month-end values from May 2007, the first month both funds have data.
BLV drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | BLV | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | −4.2% | −1.8% |
| 2025 | +6.4% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | −3.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +7.3% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −27.0% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −2.9% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +15.8% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +19.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −4.2% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +10.7% | +3.5% |
| 2016 | +6.8% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | −4.0% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | +20.3% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | −8.9% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +8.3% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | +23.0% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +10.0% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | +0.5% | +3.0% |
| 2008 | +10.3% | +7.9% |
| 2007(partial) | +6.3% | — |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of BLV?
From April 2007 to October 2026 BLV returned 3.9% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: −4.6% a year. Over the last 12 months: −6.9%.
What was the worst drawdown of BLV?
38.3%, from August 2020 to October 2023; it has not yet returned to the previous high.
How volatile is BLV?
Annual volatility was 11.5% over the period. Its worst month was −9.5% and 56% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2022 (−26.9%).
How closely does BLV follow AGG?
Over 234 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.94, so they moved almost in lockstep, with a beta of 2.24.
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Other Aggregate bond ETFs
- All Aggregate bond ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- AGG — iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETFCAGR +2.9%
- AGGH — iShares Core Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF EUR Hedged (Acc)CAGR −0.8%
- BNDX — Vanguard Total International Bond ETFCAGR +2.2%
- BSV — Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETFCAGR +2.5%
- BIV — Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETFCAGR +3.7%
- MBB — iShares MBS ETFCAGR +2.5%
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.