TLT vs VGLT
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF compared with Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund ETF Shares on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
TLT
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
VGLT
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund ETF Shares
TTM yield · Monthly
Quick take
- VGLT yields more today: 4.79% vs 4.73% (forward).
- TLT has grown its payout faster: 12.5%/yr vs 11.2%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every month.
- VGLT has the longer streak of annual increases: 5 years vs 0.
- Over the last year VGLT delivered the higher total return: -0.2% vs -0.6% (price change plus payouts).
- VGLT is cheaper to own: 0.03% vs 0.15% expense ratio.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | TLT | VGLT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $82.20 | $52.76 |
| TTM yield | 4.73% | 4.79% |
| Forward yield | 4.73% | 4.79% |
| Annual payout per share | $3.89 | $2.528 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 1, 2026 (est.) | Oct 1, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.03% |
| 1-year payout growth | +0.6% | +2.0% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +12.5% | +11.2% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 0 years | 5 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 96/100 | 96/100 |
| 1-year total return | -0.6% | -0.2% |
| 1-year price return | -5.1% | -4.7% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 47.0B | 15.1B |
| Years paying | 24.0 | 16.6 |
| Sector / category | Long Government | Long Government |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| TLT | VGLT | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 121.7 | 189.5 |
| Income per year | $473 | $479 |
| Income per month (avg) | $39 | $40 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model TLT · Model VGLT
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLT Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | $0.3242 | Est. |
| TLT Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | $0.3242 | Est. |
| TLT Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 3, 2026 | $0.3242 | Est. |
| VGLT Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 | $0.2107 | Est. |
| VGLT Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | $0.2107 | Est. |
| VGLT Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 2, 2026 | $0.2107 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
TLTVGLT
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, TLT or VGLT?
VGLT currently has the higher trailing yield: TLT yields 4.73% and VGLT yields 4.79%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do TLT and VGLT pay?
TLT pays every month and VGLT pays every month. TLT's next ex-date is Oct 1, 2026 and VGLT's is Oct 1, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, TLT or VGLT?
TLT has grown its payout faster: 12.5%/yr vs 11.2%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is TLT or VGLT better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. TLT and VGLT differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.