GOVT: iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds on US government bonds, from a few months to 30 years. The longer the maturity, the larger the moves when interest rates change.
Data updated October 2026
GOVT · US exchange · USDCategory: US Treasury bond ETFsData from February 2012
From February 2012 to October 2026 GOVT returned 1.0% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $11,649.
Its deepest fall was 19.8%, from August 2020 to October 2023, and it has not yet returned to the previous high. Annual volatility was 4.8%; at the last close it was 9.3% below its high.
Against AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF), over the 176 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.91: they moved almost in lockstep. Beta was 0.90. In months when AGG rose, GOVT moved 86% as much on average; in months when AGG fell, 94% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +1.0%
- 1-year return
- −2.0%
- 5 years, a year
- −0.7%
- 10 years, a year
- +0.6%
- Annual volatility
- 4.8%
- Maximum drawdown
- −19.8%
- Sharpe ratio
- -0.09
- Worst year
- 2022: −13.4%
Trailing returns
| Period | GOVT | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | −2.0% | −1.9% |
| 3 years, a year | +4.1% | +5.2% |
| 5 years, a year | −0.7% | −0.3% |
| 10 years, a year | +0.6% | +1.2% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: GOVT vs AGG
Month-end values from March 2012, the first month both funds have data.
GOVT drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | GOVT | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | −1.5% | −1.8% |
| 2025 | +3.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +2.9% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +4.2% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −13.4% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −1.1% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +6.3% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +7.4% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | +0.3% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +2.2% | +3.5% |
| 2016 | +0.8% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | +0.9% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | +4.7% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | −2.5% | −2.0% |
| 2012(partial) | +2.2% | — |
GOVT compared
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 GOVT?
From February 2012 to October 2026 GOVT returned 1.0% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: −0.7% a year. Over the last 12 months: −2.0%.
What was the worst drawdown of GOVT?
19.8%, from August 2020 to October 2023; it has not yet returned to the previous high.
How volatile is GOVT?
Annual volatility was 4.8% over the period. Its worst month was −3.4% and 51% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2022 (−13.4%).
How closely does GOVT follow AGG?
Over 176 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.91, so they moved almost in lockstep, with a beta of 0.90.
Use GOVT in a free tool
Other US Treasury bond ETFs
- All US Treasury bond ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- TLT — iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETFCAGR +2.7%
- IEF — iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETFCAGR +3.1%
- SHY — iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETFCAGR +1.9%
- VGLT — Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETFCAGR +2.5%
- EDV — Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETFCAGR +2.3%
- IEI — iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETFCAGR +2.7%
- VGIT — Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETFCAGR +2.0%
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.