Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index (VGLT): Historical Returns

Data Source: from January 2011 to May 2023 (~12 years)
Consolidated Returns as of 31 May 2023
Category: Fixed Income
ETF: Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index (VGLT)

In the last 10 Years, the Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index (VGLT) ETF obtained a 1.38% compound annual return, with a 12.19% standard deviation.

In 2022, the ETF granted a 1.97% dividend yield. If you are interested in getting periodic income, please refer to the Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index (VGLT) ETF: Dividend Yield page.

The ETF is related to the following investment themes:

  • Asset Class: Bond
  • Region: North America
  • Country: U.S.
  • Bond - Duration: Long-Term

Historical Returns as of May 31, 2023

Historical returns and Metrics of Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index (VGLT) ETF.

Returns and metrics are calculated based on monthly returns, assuming:
  • No fees or capital gain taxes
  • the reinvestment of dividends
VANGUARD LONG-TERM TREASURY INDEX (VGLT) ETF
Portfolio Metrics
Data Source: 1 January 2011 - 31 May 2023 (~12 years)
Swipe left to see all data
Metrics as of May 31, 2023
1M 3M 6M 1Y 3Y 5Y 10Y MAX
(~12Y)
Portfolio Return (%) -2.78 2.28 1.76 -8.31 -12.04 -0.82 1.38 3.13
US Inflation (%) 0.00 0.84 1.90 3.79 5.77 3.81 2.68 2.65
Infl. Adjusted Return (%) -2.78 1.43 -0.13 -11.65 -16.84 -4.46 -1.27 0.47
Waiting for updates, inflation of May 2023 is temporarily set to 0%. Returns / Inflation rates over 1 year are annualized.
RISK INDICATORS
Standard Deviation (%) 16.43 13.52 14.08 12.19 12.40
Sharpe Ratio -0.70 -0.97 -0.15 0.05 -0.07
Sortino Ratio -1.06 -1.41 -0.23 0.07 -0.10
MAXIMUM DRAWDOWN
Drawdown Depth (%) -16.60 -40.07 -40.07 -40.07 -40.07
Start (yyyy mm) 2022 08 2020 08 2020 08 2020 08 2020 08
Bottom (yyyy mm) 2022 10 2022 10 2022 10 2022 10 2022 10
Start to Bottom (# months) 3 27 27 27 27
Start to Recovery (# months) in progress
> 10
> 34
> 34
> 34
> 34
ROLLING PERIOD RETURNS - Annualized
Best Return (%) 36.99 13.67 10.10 7.69
Worst Return (%) -31.81 -12.04 -2.69 0.01
% Positive Periods 55% 85% 90% 100%
MONTHS
Positive 0 2 3 5 14 28 60 75
Negative 1 1 3 7 22 32 60 74
% Positive 0% 67% 50% 42% 39% 47% 50% 50%
WITHDRAWAL RATES (WR)
Safe WR (%) 25.46 21.09 11.21 11.45
Perpetual WR (%) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.47
Terms and Definitions
  • Annualized Portfolio Return: it's the annualized geometric mean return of the ETF
  • Standard Deviation: it's a measure of the dispersion of returns around the mean
  • Sharpe Ratio: it's a measure of risk-adjusted performance of the ETF. It's calculated by dividing the excess return of the ETF over the risk-free rate by the ETF standard deviation. The risk-free rate here considered is the 1-3 Mth T-Bill return.
  • Sortino Ratio: another measure of risk-adjusted performance of the ETF. It's a modification of the Sharpe Ratio (same formula but the denominator is the ETF downside standard deviation).
  • Maximum Drawdown: a drawdown refers to the decline in value from a relative peak value to a relative trough. A maximum drawdown is the maximum observed loss from a peak to a trough of a portfolio before a new peak is attained.
  • Rolling Returns: returns over a time frame (best, worst, % of positive returns).
  • Pos./Neg. Months: number of months with positive/negative return.
  • Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR): it's the percentage of the original portfolio balance that can be withdrawn at the end of each year with inflation adjustment, without the portfolio running out of money (dollar amount withdrawal).
  • Perpetual Withdrawal Rate (PWR): it's the percentage of portfolio balance that can be withdrawn at the end of each year, while retaining the inflation adjusted portfolio balance (percentage withdrawal).

Correlations as of May 31, 2023

Correlation measures to what degree the returns of the two assets move in relation to each other.

Correlation coefficient is a numerical value between -1 and +1.

If one variable goes up by a certain amount, the correlation coefficient indicates which way the other variable moves and by how much.

Asset correlations are calculated based on monthly returns.

Monthly correlations of Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index (VGLT) ETF vs the main Asset Classes, over different timeframes. Columns are sortable (click on table header to sort).

VANGUARD LONG-TERM TREASURY INDEX (VGLT) ETF
Monthly correlations as of 31 May 2023
Swipe left to see all data
Correlation vs VGLT
 
Asset Class 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Since
Jan 2011
US Total Stock Market
VTI
0.60
0.05
-0.02
-0.15
US Large Cap
SPY
0.61
0.07
-0.01
-0.13
US Small Cap
IJR
0.40
-0.14
-0.17
-0.28
US REITs
VNQ
0.75
0.20
0.33
0.19
US Technology
QQQ
0.67
0.22
0.12
-0.01
Preferred Stocks
PFF
0.75
0.25
0.29
0.16
EAFE Stocks
EFA
0.77
0.08
0.01
-0.14
World All Countries
VT
0.72
0.07
0.00
-0.16
Emerging Markets
EEM
0.88
0.11
0.07
-0.10
Europe
VGK
0.70
0.07
0.01
-0.15
Pacific
VPL
0.84
0.09
0.01
-0.10
Latin America
FLLA
0.33
-0.15
-0.10
-0.19
US Total Bond Market
BND
0.97
0.84
0.85
0.83
Long Term Treasuries
TLT
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
US Cash
BIL
0.18
0.19
0.11
0.07
TIPS
TIP
0.76
0.66
0.67
0.64
Invest. Grade Bonds
LQD
0.93
0.67
0.69
0.63
High Yield Bonds
HYG
0.62
0.18
0.15
0.03
International Bonds
BNDX
0.81
0.68
0.71
0.67
Emerg. Market Bonds
EMB
0.82
0.32
0.35
0.28
Gold
GLD
0.82
0.44
0.44
0.31
Commodities
DBC
0.42
-0.35
-0.35
-0.37

Capital Growth as of May 31, 2023

Capital growth, returns, stats are calculated assuming a reinvestment of dividends.

If you are interested in getting periodic income, please refer to the Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index (VGLT) ETF: Dividend Yield page.

An investment of 1000$, since June 2013, now would be worth 1146.48$, with a total return of 14.65% (1.38% annualized).

The Inflation Adjusted Capital now would be 880.36$, with a net total return of -11.96% (-1.27% annualized).
An investment of 1000$, since January 2011, now would be worth 1466.71$, with a total return of 46.67% (3.13% annualized).

The Inflation Adjusted Capital now would be 1059.69$, with a net total return of 5.97% (0.47% annualized).

Drawdowns

A drawdown refers to the decline in value from a relative peak value to a relative trough. A maximum drawdown is the maximum observed loss from a peak to a trough of a portfolio before a new peak is attained.

VANGUARD LONG-TERM TREASURY INDEX (VGLT) ETF
Drawdown periods
Updated to May 2023

Worst drawdowns since June 2013.

Swipe left to see all data
Drawdown period
Recovery period
Total
Drawdown Start Bottom #Months End #Months #Months
-40.07% Aug 2020 Oct 2022 27 in progress 7 34
-14.44% Aug 2016 Oct 2018 27 May 2019 7 34
-12.61% Feb 2015 Jun 2015 5 Jun 2016 12 17
-8.69% Jun 2013 Dec 2013 7 May 2014 5 12
-6.81% Sep 2019 Dec 2019 4 Feb 2020 2 6
-1.96% Sep 2014 Sep 2014 1 Oct 2014 1 2
-1.73% May 2020 May 2020 1 Jul 2020 2 3
-0.13% Jun 2014 Jun 2014 1 Jul 2014 1 2

Worst drawdowns since January 2011.

Swipe left to see all data
Drawdown period
Recovery period
Total
Drawdown Start Bottom #Months End #Months #Months
-40.07% Aug 2020 Oct 2022 27 in progress 7 34
-16.10% Aug 2012 Dec 2013 17 Nov 2014 11 28
-14.44% Aug 2016 Oct 2018 27 May 2019 7 34
-12.61% Feb 2015 Jun 2015 5 Jun 2016 12 17
-6.81% Sep 2019 Dec 2019 4 Feb 2020 2 6
-6.24% Feb 2012 Mar 2012 2 May 2012 2 4
-3.74% Oct 2011 Oct 2011 1 Dec 2011 2 3
-2.10% Jan 2011 Jan 2011 1 Apr 2011 3 4
-1.92% Jun 2011 Jun 2011 1 Jul 2011 1 2
-1.73% May 2020 May 2020 1 Jul 2020 2 3
-1.51% Jun 2012 Jun 2012 1 Jul 2012 1 2

Rolling Returns ( more details)

A rolling return is a measure of investment performance that calculates the return of an investment over a set period of time, with the starting date rolling forward. This approach can provide a more accurate representation of the investment's historical performance and helps investors to evaluate the investment's consistency over time.

VANGUARD LONG-TERM TREASURY INDEX (VGLT) ETF
Annualized Rolling Returns
Data Source: from January 2011 to May 2023
Swipe left to see all data
Rolling
Period
Annualized Return (%) Negative
Periods
Average Latest Best Worst
1 Year
3.85 -8.31 36.99
May 2019 - Apr 2020
-31.81
Nov 2021 - Oct 2022
44.93%
2 Years
3.66 -11.13 21.91
Aug 2018 - Jul 2020
-19.64
Nov 2020 - Oct 2022
31.75%
3 Years
4.27 -12.04 13.67
Aug 2017 - Jul 2020
-12.04
Jun 2020 - May 2023
14.91%
5 Years
4.38 -0.82 10.10
Jul 2011 - Jun 2016
-2.69
Nov 2017 - Oct 2022
10.00%
7 Years
4.26 -0.92 9.25
Aug 2013 - Jul 2020
-1.19
Mar 2016 - Feb 2023
13.64%
10 Years
3.53 1.38 7.69
Jan 2011 - Dec 2020
0.01
Nov 2012 - Oct 2022
0.00%
Annualized rolling and average returns over full calendar month periods

If you need a deeper detail about rolling returns, please refer to the Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index (VGLT) ETF: Rolling Returns page.

Seasonality

Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index (VGLT) ETF: in which months is it better to invest?

Both the Average Return and the Gain Frequency (Win %) are useful to get an idea of what happened in the past.

For further information about the seasonality, check the Asset Class Seasonality page.
Swipe left to see all data
Monthly Average Return (%) and Gain Frequency
Return (%) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average
Gain Frequency
1.54
60%
-1.38
20%
1.37
60%
-1.47
60%
0.01
20%
0.95
80%
1.88
80%
0.48
40%
-3.05
20%
-2.11
20%
2.46
80%
-0.53
20%
 Capital Growth on monthly avg returns
100
101.54
100.14
101.50
100.02
100.03
100.98
102.88
103.37
100.23
98.11
100.53
100.00
Best 7.3
2020
6.6
2020
6.4
2020
2.3
2021
6.7
2019
4.2
2021
4.2
2020
10.7
2019
0.8
2020
1.9
2021
6.7
2022
5.6
2018
Worst -3.7
2022
-5.6
2021
-4.9
2021
-9.2
2022
-2.8
2023
-1.4
2022
-1.4
2018
-4.8
2020
-7.9
2022
-5.2
2022
-0.4
2019
-2.9
2019
Monthly Seasonality over the period Jun 2018 - May 2023
Swipe left to see all data
Monthly Average Return (%) and Gain Frequency
Return (%) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average
Gain Frequency
2.52
70%
-1.05
40%
1.08
70%
-0.91
50%
0.48
50%
0.44
60%
1.37
70%
0.77
40%
-1.85
30%
-1.15
30%
0.45
60%
-0.04
30%
 Capital Growth on monthly avg returns
100
102.52
101.44
102.54
101.60
102.09
102.55
103.95
104.75
102.81
101.63
102.08
102.04
Best 8.7
2015
6.6
2020
6.4
2020
2.3
2021
6.7
2019
6.2
2016
4.2
2020
10.7
2019
1.9
2015
2.7
2014
6.7
2022
5.6
2018
Worst -3.7
2022
-5.6
2021
-4.9
2021
-9.2
2022
-2.8
2023
-3.6
2015
-1.8
2013
-4.8
2020
-7.9
2022
-5.2
2022
-7.7
2016
-2.9
2019
Monthly Seasonality over the period Jun 2013 - May 2023
Swipe left to see all data
Monthly Average Return (%) and Gain Frequency
Return (%) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average
Gain Frequency
1.57
62%
-0.76
46%
0.48
54%
0.13
62%
0.77
54%
0.08
50%
1.74
75%
1.30
42%
-0.87
33%
-1.31
25%
0.65
67%
0.02
33%
 Capital Growth on monthly avg returns
100
101.57
100.80
101.28
101.42
102.19
102.28
104.05
105.40
104.49
103.12
103.79
103.82
Best 8.7
2015
6.6
2020
6.4
2020
4.7
2012
7.9
2012
6.2
2016
4.2
2020
10.7
2019
10.0
2011
2.7
2014
6.7
2022
5.6
2018
Worst -3.7
2022
-5.6
2021
-4.9
2021
-9.2
2022
-6.1
2013
-3.6
2015
-1.8
2013
-4.8
2020
-7.9
2022
-5.2
2022
-7.7
2016
-2.9
2019
Monthly Seasonality over the period Jan 2011 - May 2023

Monthly/Yearly Returns

Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index (VGLT) ETF data source starts from January 2011: let's focus on monthly and yearly returns.

We are providing two different views:
  • Histogram: it shows the distribution of the returns recorded so far
  • Plain Table: it shows the detailed monthly and yearly returns
MONTHLY RETURNS HISTOGRAM
Jan 2011 - May 2023
75 Positive Months (50%) - 74 Negative Months (50%)
MONTHLY RETURNS TABLE
Jan 2011 - May 2023
(Scroll down to see all data)
Swipe left to see all data
Yearly Return(%)
Monthly Return(%)
Year Total Infl.Adj Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2023
+4.14 +1.88 7.1 -5.0 4.7 0.5 -2.8
2022
-29.35 -33.64 -3.7 -1.7 -4.8 -9.2 -2.0 -1.4 2.6 -4.5 -7.9 -5.2 6.7 -2.3
2021
-4.98 -11.23 -3.5 -5.6 -4.9 2.3 -0.1 4.2 3.7 -0.3 -2.8 1.9 2.6 -1.9
2020
+17.57 +15.99 7.3 6.6 6.4 1.0 -1.7 0.3 4.2 -4.8 0.8 -3.3 1.5 -1.2
2019
+14.31 +11.75 0.5 -1.3 5.4 -1.9 6.7 1.0 0.3 10.7 -2.6 -1.1 -0.4 -2.9
2018
-1.53 -3.37 -3.2 -3.0 2.9 -2.0 1.9 0.6 -1.4 1.3 -2.8 -2.8 1.8 5.6
2017
+8.64 +6.40 0.6 1.6 -0.6 1.6 1.8 0.7 -0.6 3.3 -2.2 -0.1 0.7 1.7
2016
+1.22 -0.84 5.2 2.8 0.0 -0.3 0.7 6.2 2.1 -1.0 -1.2 -4.3 -7.7 -0.4
2015
-1.41 -2.13 8.7 -5.5 1.0 -2.9 -2.3 -3.6 4.0 -0.6 1.9 -0.4 -0.8 -0.2
2014
+25.19 +24.25 6.2 0.5 0.7 1.9 2.7 -0.1 0.5 4.3 -2.0 2.7 2.5 3.1
2013
-12.45 -13.75 -2.8 1.2 -0.1 3.9 -6.1 -3.4 -1.8 -0.7 0.3 1.0 -2.4 -2.0
2012
+3.30 +1.53 0.2 -2.0 -4.3 4.7 7.9 -1.5 3.1 -0.9 -1.9 -0.4 1.2 -2.2
2011
+29.17 +25.45 -2.1 1.4 -0.1 2.2 3.3 -1.9 4.0 8.8 10.0 -3.7 2.2 2.9