BIV vs VGIT
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF vs Vanguard Intermediate Term Treasury ETF
Which is better, BIV or VGIT?
Each has led over a different period.
BIV led over 3Y, VGIT over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BIV | VGIT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $29.0B | $39.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.32% | 3.90% |
| Holdings | 2,327 | 105 |
| YTD Return | -3.23% | -2.55%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.28% | -1.65%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.38%Best | +3.61% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.37% | -0.25%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.3% | 4.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.3% | -17.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,816 | $9,876Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Nov 19, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 23, 2009 to Oct 9, 2026 (16.9 years).
BIV vs VGIT growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16.9 years both funds cover.
BIV vs VGIT Performance
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Intermediate Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BIV returned -2.28% while VGIT returned -1.65%. Year to date, BIV is down 3.23% versus a loss of 2.55% for VGIT.
Over three years, BIV compounded at +4.38% per year against +3.61% for VGIT; over five years the annualized figures are -0.37% and -0.25% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VGIT has the edge at +0.63% annualized vs +0.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BIV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.3% compared with 4.3% for VGIT. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -20.3% for BIV and -17.2% for VGIT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIV charges 0.03% per year while VGIT charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, BIV currently yields 4.32% against 3.90% for VGIT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 798 holdings in BIV and 74 in VGIT, totalling 60.9% and 72.4% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 31 positions appear in both.
31 positions in common, counted across the 798 positions we hold weights for in BIV and 74 in VGIT, against full books of 2,327 and 105.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BIV | Weight in VGIT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| T 4.375 05/15/34United States Treasury Note/Bondus Treasury N/B | 2.14% | 1.93% | 0.21% |
| T 4.625 02/15/35Us T-Note 4.625% 02/15/35 | 2.09% | 1.92% | 0.17% |
| T 4 02/15/34United States Treasury 4.00% 15-Feb-2034 | 2.15% | 1.83% | 0.32% |
| T 4.25 11/15/34Us Treas Nts 4.25% 11/15/34 | 2.09% | 1.88% | 0.21% |
| T 3.875 08/15/34Us Treas Nts 3.875% 08/15/34 | 2.03% | 1.87% | 0.16% |
| T 4.25 05/15/35Us Treas Nts 4.25% 05/15/35 | 2.06% | 1.83% | 0.23% |
| T 4.25 08/15/35United States Treasury Note/Bond 4.25% 08/15/2035 | 2.05% | 1.82% | 0.23% |
| T 4.5 11/15/33United States Treasury Note/Bond 4.50% 11/15/2033 | 2.05% | 1.81% | 0.24% |
| T 3.875 08/15/33United States Treasury Note/Bond 3.88% 08/15/2033 | 1.85% | 1.65% | 0.20% |
| T 4.125 11/15/32United States Of Americau.S. Treasury Notes 11/15/2032 | 1.75% | 1.54% | 0.21% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIV and VGIT you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BIV or VGIT?
BIV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VGIT charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BIV or VGIT?
Over the past year BIV returned -2.28% vs -1.65% for VGIT, so VGIT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), BIV annualized +0.54% vs +0.63% for VGIT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIV or VGIT?
BIV has been the more volatile fund at 5.3% annualized versus 4.3% for VGIT. Worst drawdown: BIV -20.3% vs VGIT -17.2%.
Should I hold both BIV and VGIT?
BIV and VGIT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BIV or VGIT?
BIV yields 4.32% while VGIT yields 3.90%, so BIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VGIT better than BIV?
BIV led over 3Y, VGIT over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.