VGLT: Vanguard Long-Term Treasury 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
VGLT · US exchange · USDCategory: US Treasury bond ETFsData from January 2010
From January 2010 to October 2026 VGLT returned 2.5% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $15,098.
Its deepest fall was 46.2%, from August 2020 to October 2023, and it has not yet returned to the previous high. Annual volatility was 13.3%; at the last close it was 39.4% below its high.
Against AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF), over the 201 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.87: they usually moved together. Beta was 2.44. In months when AGG rose, VGLT moved 234% as much on average; in months when AGG fell, 287% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +2.5%
- 1-year return
- −7.6%
- 5 years, a year
- −6.5%
- 10 years, a year
- −1.6%
- Annual volatility
- 13.3%
- Maximum drawdown
- −46.2%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.15
- Worst year
- 2022: −29.3%
Trailing returns
| Period | VGLT | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | −7.6% | −1.9% |
| 3 years, a year | +3.8% | +5.2% |
| 5 years, a year | −6.5% | −0.3% |
| 10 years, a year | −1.6% | +1.2% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: VGLT vs AGG
Month-end values from February 2010, the first month both funds have data.
VGLT drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VGLT | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | −4.5% | −1.8% |
| 2025 | +5.3% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | −6.3% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +3.3% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −29.3% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −5.0% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +17.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +14.3% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −1.5% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +8.6% | +3.5% |
| 2016 | +1.2% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | −1.0% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | +25.9% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | −12.4% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +3.3% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | +29.2% | +7.7% |
| 2010(partial) | +9.0% | — |
VGLT 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 VGLT?
From January 2010 to October 2026 VGLT returned 2.5% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: −6.5% a year. Over the last 12 months: −7.6%.
What was the worst drawdown of VGLT?
46.2%, from August 2020 to October 2023; it has not yet returned to the previous high.
How volatile is VGLT?
Annual volatility was 13.3% over the period. Its worst month was −9.2% and 50% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2022 (−29.3%).
How closely does VGLT follow AGG?
Over 201 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.87, so they usually moved together, with a beta of 2.44.
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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%
- GOVT — iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETFCAGR +1.0%
- 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.