Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) Performance
BLV total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- −3.2% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- −5.7% total return
- 5 years
- −4.6% a year
- 10 years
- +0.2% a year
- Since first price
- +3.9% a year since 2007
BLV trailing returns vs AGG, TLT, SPY
| Period | BLV total return | Price only | U.S. bonds (AGG) | 20+ yr Treasuries (TLT) | S&P 500 (SPY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +0.9% | +0.4% | +0.9% | +1.5% | −1.0% |
| 3 months | −1.0% | −2.3% | −0.4% | −1.0% | +3.2% |
| 6 months | −3.7% | −6.0% | −1.5% | −3.8% | +7.8% |
| YTD | −3.2% | −6.7% | −1.0% | −3.4% | +12.3% |
| 1 year | −5.7% | −10.1% | −1.1% | −6.9% | +14.4% |
| 3 years | +16.2%+5.1%/yr | +1.0% | +16.6%+5.2%/yr | +9.7%+3.1%/yr | +87.4%+23.3%/yr |
| 5 years | −21.1%−4.6%/yr | −36.4% | −0.8%−0.2%/yr | −32.5%−7.6%/yr | +79.3%+12.4%/yr |
| 10 years | +2.4%+0.2%/yr | −33.1% | +14.0%+1.3%/yr | −18.7%−2.0%/yr | +315.9%+15.3%/yr |
| 15 years | +40.5%+2.3%/yr | −27.2% | +32.2%+1.9%/yr | +9.9%+0.6%/yr | +696.0%+14.8%/yr |
| Since inceptionApr 10, 2007 | +111.7%+3.9%/yr | −13.4% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: BLV vs AGG
From Apr 10, 2007: BLV grew to $21,170, AGG to $17,450.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
BLV returns by calendar year
12 of 18 full years positive. Best 2011 (+23.0%), worst 2022 (−26.9%). 2026 is year to date.
BLV annual returns table
| Year | BLV | Largest drop | AGG | TLT | SPY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | −3.2% | −10.0% | −1.0% | −3.4% | +12.3% |
| 2025 | +6.4% | −6.9% | +7.2% | +4.3% | +17.7% |
| 2024 | −4.0% | −9.6% | +1.3% | −8.1% | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +7.3% | −17.5% | +5.7% | +2.8% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −26.9% | −32.1% | −13.0% | −31.2% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | −2.9% | −11.5% | −1.8% | −4.6% | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +15.8% | −20.0% | +7.5% | +18.2% | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +19.0% | −6.0% | +8.5% | +14.1% | +31.2% |
| 2018 | −4.2% | −8.7% | +0.1% | −1.6% | −4.6% |
| 2017 | +10.7% | −3.8% | +3.6% | +9.2% | +21.7% |
| 2016 | +6.8% | −12.1% | +2.4% | +1.2% | +12.0% |
| 2015 | −4.0% | −12.4% | +0.5% | −1.8% | +1.2% |
| 2014 | +20.3% | −4.3% | +6.0% | +27.3% | +13.5% |
| 2013 | −8.9% | −14.5% | −2.0% | −13.4% | +32.3% |
| 2012 | +7.9% | −5.8% | +3.8% | +2.6% | +16.0% |
| 2011 | +23.0% | −5.8% | +7.7% | +34.0% | +1.9% |
| 2010 | +10.0% | −10.2% | +6.4% | +9.0% | +15.1% |
| 2009 | +0.0% | −9.3% | +3.0% | −21.8% | +26.4% |
| 2008 | +10.3% | −12.7% | +7.9% | +33.9% | −36.8% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
BLV largest drawdowns
Now 27.1% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 6, 2020 | −38.3% | Oct 19, 2023 | not yet | 3.2 years | 6.2 years so far |
| Mar 9, 2020 | −20.0% | Mar 19, 2020 | Jul 9, 2020 | 10 days | 4 months |
| May 2, 2013 | −14.5% | Aug 21, 2013 | Jul 21, 2014 | 4 months | 1.2 years |
| Sep 15, 2008 | −12.7% | Nov 3, 2008 | Dec 11, 2008 | 49 days | 3 months |
| Jan 30, 2015 | −12.4% | Jun 26, 2015 | Jun 3, 2016 | 5 months | 1.3 years |
| Jul 8, 2016 | −12.1% | Dec 14, 2016 | Mar 22, 2019 | 5 months | 2.7 years |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 5% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
BLV risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +2.4% | −5.4% | −0.3% | +3.7% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.9% | 13.6% | 11.7% | 11.1% |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.11 | -0.60 | -0.16 | 0.26 |
| Sortino ratio | -0.16 | -0.77 | -0.22 | 0.39 |
| Best month | +10.0% | +10.0% | +10.0% | +13.0% |
| Worst month | −5.4% | −9.5% | −9.5% | −9.5% |
| Best 12 months | +17.3% | +17.3% | +28.3% | +28.3% |
| Worst 12 months | −7.1% | −31.1% | −31.1% | −31.1% |
| Positive months | 58% | 50% | 55% | 55% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.52 | 0.57 | 0.32 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.55 | 0.66 | 0.41 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
BLV rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 223 | −31.1% | +4.6% | +28.3% | 65% |
| 3-year (a year) | 199 | −12.7% | +5.4% | +17.5% | 80% |
| 5-year (a year) | 175 | −6.0% | +5.3% | +11.8% | 77% |
| 10-year (a year) | 115 | −0.3% | +5.0% | +8.2% | 99% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2007. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
BLV performance overview
Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) returned −5.7% over the past year and +0.2% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2007 it has returned +3.9% a year, turning $10,000 into about $21,170. Over the same year U.S. bonds (AGG) returned −1.1%.
The deepest decline was −38.3%, from Aug 6, 2020 to Oct 19, 2023; the fund has not yet regained that high. BLV finished 12 of its 18 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2011 (+23.0%) and the worst 2022 (−26.9%). Volatility has been 11.1% a year.
Related: BLV chart, BLV dividends, BLV bond profile. See the BLV overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
BLV performance FAQ
What is the BLV return over the past year?
BLV returned −5.7% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 10.1%.
What is the average annual return of BLV?
BLV has returned −4.6% a year over 5 years, +0.2% a year over 10 years, +3.9% a year since April 10, 2007 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in BLV be worth?
$10,000 invested in BLV at its first recorded close on April 10, 2007 would be worth about $21,170 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for BLV?
The worst calendar year was 2022, with a total return of −26.9%. The best was 2011 at +23.0%.
What is the biggest drawdown of BLV?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −38.3% between August 6, 2020 and October 19, 2023. It has not yet recovered to that high; it is 27.1% below its peak.
How volatile is BLV?
Over the past 3 years BLV had an annualized volatility of 11.9% and a Sharpe ratio of -0.11 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).