Dividend comparison
VGLT vs BSV: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF and Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VGLT vs BSV: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. Both charge about 0.03% a year, so cost is not what separates them.
- Income. VGLT pays more income, yielding 4.91% over the last twelve months versus 4.11% for BSV. That is about $80 more a year on $10,000. Both pay monthly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, BSV returned 5.2% versus -31.4% for VGLT, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $10,517 in BSV and $6,855 in VGLT.
- Risk. VGLT has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -41.0%, against -7.9% for BSV.
- Diversification. VGLT holds 69 positions and BSV holds 30.
- Dividend growth. BSV grew its yearly payout 26.7% a year over the last 4 years, versus 11.1% for VGLT.
- Size. BSV is the larger fund with $69.6 billion in assets, against $14.9 billion for VGLT.
Bottom line: VGLT fits better if you care most about more income today and broader diversification. BSV fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VGLT Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF | BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 4.91% | 4.11% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.52 | $3.15 |
| Payout frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Last dividend | $0.2052 on Oct 5, 2026 | $0.2680 on Oct 5, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 11.1% over 4 yrs | 26.7% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $51.42 | $76.53 |
| Dividend growth streak | 4 years | 4 years |
| Beta | 2.25 | 0.38 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -41.0% | -7.9% |
| Market cap | $14.91B | $69.61B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $14.90B | $69.60B |
| Number of holdings | 69 | 30 |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VGLT
$40.92/mo
$491 /yr at 4.91% yield
BSV
$34.26/mo
$411 /yr at 4.11% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VGLT pays monthly; BSV pays monthly.
| Year | VGLT | BSV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.4791 | $3.0206 |
| 2024 | $2.3963 | $2.6138 |
| 2023 | $2.0484 | $1.8927 |
| 2022 | $1.7471 | $1.1262 |
| 2021 | $1.6269 | $1.1739 |
Strategy: Bonds
Funds that hold government, corporate or municipal debt and pay out the interest as monthly income. The two numbers that explain most of their behavior are duration, which sets how much the price moves when interest rates change, and credit quality, which sets how much extra yield is earned for default risk. Long-term Treasury funds move a lot with rates, while short-term funds behave closer to cash.
Bond prices fall when interest rates rise, and long-duration funds can lose as much as stocks in a fast rate-hiking cycle.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $6,855 in VGLT and $10,517 in BSV.
| Period | VGLT | BSV |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -1.25% | -0.16% |
| 3 months | -4.95% | -1.49% |
| Year to date | -7.85% | -2.89% |
| 1 year | -10.84% | -2.67% |
| 3 years | 7.48% | 10.31% |
| 5 years | -31.45% | 5.17% |
- VGLT
- BSV
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- VGLT
- BSV
Quick verdict
VGLT fits better if you care most about more income today and broader diversification. BSV fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how VGLT vs BSV fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is VGLT or BSV better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VGLT currently yields 4.91% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while BSV yields 4.11%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between VGLT and BSV?
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VGLT or BSV?
They cost about the same: VGLT charges 0.03% a year and BSV charges 0.03%.
Which has performed better, VGLT or BSV?
Over the last 5 years, BSV has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VGLT returned -31.4% and BSV returned 5.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VGLT or BSV?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VGLT has been riskier: VGLT fell as much as 41.0% and BSV as much as 7.9%. Their betas are 2.25 and 0.38.
How often do VGLT and BSV pay dividends?
Both pay monthly. The most recent payments were $0.2052 for VGLT and $0.2680 for BSV.
How much income does $10,000 in VGLT vs BSV generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VGLT would generate roughly $40.92 per month ($491 annually). The same amount in BSV would produce about $34.26 per month ($411 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VGLT and BSV?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VGLT vs BSV with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VGLT and BSV fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.