TLH vs VTI
iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, TLH or VTI?
Long Term Government Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | TLH | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $11.0B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.59% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 61 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -2.72% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.40% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +1.88% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -5.29% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.9%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -42.1%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,620 | $17,576Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Government Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 5, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 11, 2007 to Sep 17, 2026 (19.7 years).
TLH vs VTI 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 19.7 years both funds cover.
TLH vs VTI Performance
iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLH) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TLH returned -3.40% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, TLH is down 2.72% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, TLH compounded at +1.88% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -5.29% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.29% annualized vs +0.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 9.9% for TLH. 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 -42.1% for TLH and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.03. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TLH charges 0.15% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TLH currently yields 4.59% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 58 holdings in TLH and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 91.3% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in TLH and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 61 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TLH and VTI 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, TLH or VTI?
TLH has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TLH or VTI?
Over the past year TLH returned -3.40% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), TLH annualized +0.74% vs +9.29% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TLH or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 9.9% for TLH. Worst drawdown: TLH -42.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both TLH and VTI?
TLH and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.03, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, TLH or VTI?
TLH yields 4.59% while VTI yields 1.03%, so TLH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than TLH?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.