TLT vs VTI — 21-Year Performance Comparison
Long-Term Treasuries vs Total US Market — backtested 2004–2024
VTI wins$79,515 vs $20,150 on $10,000 over 21 years
TLTLong-Term Treasuries
Final value$20,150
CAGR+3.4%
Max drawdown-38.0%
Best year+34% (2011)
Years won6 of 21
VTITotal US Market
Final value$79,515
CAGR+10.4%
Max drawdown-37.0%
Best year+34% (2013)
Years won15 of 21
Growth of $10,000
2004–2024TLTVTI
TLT$20,150
VTI$79,515
50/50 mix$47,684
50/50 blend: $47,684 (+7.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between TLT and VTI would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than VTI but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: TLT vs VTI
| Year | TLT | VTI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | -8.1% | +23.8% | VTI |
| 2023 | +2.8% | +26.1% | VTI |
| 2022 | -31.2% | -19.5% | VTI |
| 2021 | -4.6% | +25.7% | VTI |
| 2020 | +18.1% | +21.1% | VTI |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +30.7% | VTI |
| 2018 | -1.6% | -5.2% | TLT |
| 2017 | +9.2% | +21.2% | VTI |
| 2016 | +1.2% | +12.7% | VTI |
| 2015 | -1.8% | +0.4% | VTI |
| 2014 | +27.3% | +12.6% | TLT |
| 2013 | -13.4% | +33.5% | VTI |
| 2012 | +2.6% | +16.4% | VTI |
| 2011 | +34.0% | +1.1% | TLT |
| 2010 | +9.1% | +17.3% | VTI |
| 2009 | -21.8% | +28.8% | VTI |
| 2008 | +33.9% | -37.0% | TLT |
| 2007 | +10.3% | +5.5% | TLT |
| 2006 | +0.7% | +15.7% | VTI |
| 2005 | +8.8% | +5.9% | TLT |
| 2004 | +7.9% | +12.5% | VTI |
More comparisons
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