BAI vs VXUS
iShares AI Innovation and Tech Active ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, BAI or VXUS?
BAI has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BAI led over 1Y 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 | BAI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $13.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.41% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 55 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +33.80%Best | +15.71% |
| 1Y Return | +40.28%Best | +25.07% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.21% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 37.4% | 11.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $18,517Best | $14,856 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2024 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2024 to Sep 8, 2026 (1.9 years).
BAI 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
BAI vs VXUS Performance
iShares AI Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BAI returned +40.28% while VXUS returned +25.07%. Year to date, BAI is up 33.80% versus a gain of 15.71% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.4% compared with 11.4% for VXUS. 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 -34.1% for BAI and -13.6% 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 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAI charges 0.55% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $5 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAI currently yields 1.41% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 17.5% of BAI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
BAI and VXUS share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in BAI and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 55 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BAI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix | 3.30% | 2.17% | 1.13% |
| 2383:TWElite Material Co Ltd | 2.99% | 0.11% | 2.88% |
| TSEM:ILTower Semiconductor Ltd Ordinary Shares | 2.41% | 0.06% | 2.35% |
| 3037:TWUnimicron Technology Corp | 2.20% | 0.10% | 2.10% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics | 1.92% | 0.27% | 1.65% |
| 3017:TWAsia Vital Components Co Ltd | 2.03% | 0.06% | 1.97% |
| 6920:JPLasertec Corp | 1.53% | 0.05% | 1.48% |
| 2345:TWAccton Technology Corp | 1.16% | 0.09% | 1.07% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BAI 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, BAI or VXUS?
BAI has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAI or VXUS?
Over the past year BAI returned +40.28% vs +25.07% for VXUS, so BAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BAI annualized +38.30% vs +23.16% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAI or VXUS?
BAI has been the more volatile fund at 37.4% annualized versus 11.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: BAI -34.1% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both BAI and VXUS?
BAI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between BAI and VXUS?
At least 17.5% of BAI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in BAI and 8,092 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, BAI or VXUS?
BAI yields 1.41% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than BAI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. BAI led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.