AFB vs VXUS
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund Inc vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, AFB or VXUS?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AFB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.56% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $335M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.95% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 175 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +1.22% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.96% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.37% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.61% | +9.09%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.5%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -40.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,761 | $15,450Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 28, 2002 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
AFB vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 15.6 years both funds cover.
AFB vs VXUS Performance
AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund Inc (AFB) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AFB returned +7.96% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, AFB is up 1.22% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, AFB compounded at +5.37% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -2.61% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.93% annualized vs +0.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 11.5% for AFB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -40.0% for AFB and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AFB charges 1.56% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $156 vs $5 annually, a gap of $151 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFB currently yields 4.95% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 79 holdings in AFB and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 60.7% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 150 days apart, AFB as of Jan 31, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in AFB and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 175 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AFB and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AFB or VXUS?
AFB has an expense ratio of 1.56% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $151 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFB or VXUS?
Over the past year AFB returned +7.96% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), AFB annualized +0.47% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFB or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 11.5% for AFB. Worst drawdown: AFB -40.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both AFB and VXUS?
AFB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.44, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFB or VXUS?
AFB yields 4.95% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so AFB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than AFB?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.