VGLT vs VYM
Vanguard Long Term Treasury ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VGLT or VYM?
Long Term Government Bond against Large Cap Value.
VGLT has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | VGLT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $10.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.76% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 102 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -3.81% | +13.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.18% | +17.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +0.61% | +17.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -7.44% | +12.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -47.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,794 | $17,797Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Government Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 19, 2009 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 24, 2009 to Sep 14, 2026 (16.8 years).
VGLT vs VYM 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 16.8 years both funds cover.
VGLT vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Long Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGLT returned -5.18% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, VGLT is down 3.81% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Over three years, VGLT compounded at +0.61% per year against +17.73% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -7.44% and +12.22% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.02% annualized vs +0.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 12.3% for VGLT. 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 -47.1% for VGLT and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.11. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGLT charges 0.03% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VGLT currently yields 4.76% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings VGLT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VGLT, our book for it covers 89.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in VGLT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 102 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VGLT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURVVanguard Market Liquidity Fund | 0.04% | 0.15% | 0.11% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGLT and VYM 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, VGLT or VYM?
VGLT has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. VGLT is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VGLT or VYM?
Over the past year VGLT returned -5.18% vs +17.46% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), VGLT annualized +0.26% vs +10.02% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGLT or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 12.3% for VGLT. Worst drawdown: VGLT -47.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both VGLT and VYM?
VGLT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of -0.11, 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, VGLT or VYM?
VGLT yields 4.76% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VGLT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VGLT?
VGLT has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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.