VGLT vs TLT: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF against iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 4, 2010 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VGLT beat TLT?
Yes — measured from Jan 4, 2010 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VGLT came out ahead: $15,447 versus $15,128 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 2.7% annual return against 2.5%.
What would $10,000 in VGLT be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) on Jan 4, 2010 would be worth about $15,447 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 54.5% (2.7% per year). The same $10,000 in TLT would be worth $15,128.
Which was riskier — VGLT or TLT?
VGLT swung with an annualized volatility of 13.4% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -46.2%; TLT ran at 15.0% volatility with a -48.4% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.05 for VGLT vs 0.04 for TLT.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 4, 2010 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with VGLT vs TLT. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.